DIY Ball Joint Installation Tool

[FMradio]

Last control arm job I did, on the green XC70, I could not get the old ball joint out from one side even after pounding it over and over with the air hammer. Started to chew up the knuckle all around it. I gave up and put it back in, maybe will need to get a new knuckle in order to get a new ball joint in there.

Do you think that a rust penetrant or lubricant would help it out? If it's even possible to get that stuff in there if the ball joint is installed so tight. what if somebody submerged or soaked the ball joint part in the lubricant. Wonder if that helps

[erikv11]

I tried both heat and penetrant. They should help, yes!

Using anti-seize on the install helps for next time, but doesn't solve the stuck one.

[jonesg]

a 3 lb hammer , long chisel and put the knuckle on concrete.
it will soon give up.

[MoVolvos]

I tried both heat and penetrant. They should help, yes!

Using anti-seize on the install helps for next time, but doesn't solve the stuck one.

.
If possible cut the edge off the ball joint and drill into the side downward to relieve tension? Photo borrowed from link.

https://www.suspension.com/moog-k80700
.

07 Ball Joint.png (480.32 KiB) Viewed 374 times

.

[erikv11]

Not a bad idea, thanks.

I ran out of time, needed to complete the job on both sides in one night, so I put it back together with the old ball joint. Ball joint was old but not loose. I'll have to get back in there and fix it, however.

[vtl]

That's lot more work than with chisel and 3-5 lbs hammer. You may start it with a wood chisel and then switch to thicker cold chisel.

[erikv11]

Yeah, I'm not likely to drill anything except as a last resort. But the chisel is a lot more work than zipping it out with an air hammer, which was foolproof for the first five I did. The question is, what will actually work?

Anyway I'm not digging into that any time soon, have a long list projects ahead of it.

[jonesg]

this.

20240511_102810.jpg (489.62 KiB) Viewed 297 times

[Krons]

The question is, what will actually work?

All metal moves when it is liquid.

I got frustrated with my last one and took the knuckles and ball joints to my local shop, darn guys installed them for no charge.