Page 1 of 1
Which tool did you use to press upper ball joints?
Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2022 11:15 pm
by kennyele11
Just bought a ball joint service tool and I cant seem to get any configuration to work so I can press the joint back in. Can anybody give a recommendation for a specific kit?
Re: Which tool did you use to press upper ball joints?
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2022 1:24 am
by Nissanman
Not clear on the problem.
There are "ball joint removers" but installation is simply inserting the taper into the receiver and tightening the appropriate nut.
Re: Which tool did you use to press upper ball joints?
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2022 5:47 am
by redroadster
Pic on this
The lower arm has to be loaded not jacked off the ground ( seems like that's what's going on )
Careful if your not equiped properly
Danger ! Will Robinson. Danger !
Re: Which tool did you use to press upper ball joints?
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2022 12:10 pm
by kennyele11
So reinstalling the ball joint is as simple putting taper into receiver and tightening the castle nut?
Re: Which tool did you use to press upper ball joints?
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2022 3:34 pm
by notoptoy
yes!
Re: Which tool did you use to press upper ball joints?
Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2022 7:57 pm
by Nissanman
You may need to lock the taper to get the castle nut snugged down, sometimes it wants to rotate with the wrench action.
I insert a pointy scribe through the split pin hole to hold it still.
It will be strong enough to do the job and allow the nut to tighten down onto the ball joint receiver.
Then you can remove the scribe and torque it down to spec
All the above on condition that the ball joint stud threads have not been mushroomed out during the removal process
Re: Which tool did you use to press upper ball joints?
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2022 12:56 pm
by GeoffM
Nissanman wrote: Thu Apr 14, 2022 7:57 pm
You may need to lock the taper to get the castle nut snugged down, sometimes it wants to rotate with the wrench action.
I insert a pointy scribe through the split pin hole to hold it still.
It will be strong enough to do the job and allow the nut to tighten down onto the ball joint receiver.
Then you can remove the scribe and torque it down to spec
All the above on condition that the ball joint stud threads have not been mushroomed out during the removal process
I mushroomed a tie rod by using a jaw puller on it. At least it was only on the threads above the cotter pin hole...and it was slight enough that I could run a die on it...and it was only a tie rod and not a ball joint
Re: Which tool did you use to press upper ball joints?
Posted: Mon Apr 18, 2022 7:23 pm
by Nissanman
GeoffM, the jaw puller can still work well if you leave the nut on the threads right at the end where the tool applies pressure.
Even using the [preferred] cantilever ball joint remover the nut should be on the stud as above.