Ball Joint Boot replacement tricks needed
 

I am replacing the ball joint boots on the front lower joints. I am having trouble getting the lower control arm free of the ball joint. The area is too small to use the typical ball joint tool and I dont want to destroy the joint so I dont want to hammer on it in such a way as to damage it. There is little to pry against. I am looking for some ideas as to how to proceed.

Thanks.

A pickle fork will damage the boot, but not the ball joint. So if you're replacing the boots anyway, have at it with a pickle fork.

BTW, where did you get just the boots?

jp

The local Benz dealer - PN 116 586 04 33

I managed to get the job done. I disconnected the top ball joint then was able to angle the spindle outward enough to install the standard screw type ball joint press. They came out no problem.

Reassembly?
 

So how did you get them pressed back in? Did the same press work for reinstallation? Some here have suggested that OEM press rented from AutoZone. Did you use this one?

Lou

I never removed the ball joint. I just replaced the rubber cover. Joint was good, rubber cover was bad.

Ruuber boot
 

where do you buy just the boot?

The dealer

old ball joint
 

ok, am in the middle of removing the rt lower ball joint. all bolts and nuts are off, even that of the upper bj. but am having problem sliding the bj bolt off the lower control arm. I thought maybe if I find a way to get the spindle off the upper bj first then I can hammer the lower bj off the arm?

or am I doing this the hard way? Help please

If I am reading this right, you have everything unbolted, and the only thing holding on is the balljoint itself?

A big brass hammer ought to motivate it off.

Might want to put the nut back on the upper balljoint a few turns...so that when the lower gives, it won't go tumbling around everywhere...like on your foot or in your face. :eek:

Good idea
 

Good idea. Don't have a brass hammer but have all sorts of steel hammers.

It may be obvious but what do I hammer? the top of the bj hitting it downwards? Heres anothe pic.

I had to disconnect the upper ball joint and then I could swing the spindle out of the way of the ball joint bolt. It will also give you clear access to hammer the joint free. I used a ball joint removal tool and it still was a challenge to get the joint free. Getting the joint out of the spindle is even more fun.

If you are going to replace the balljoint, might as well hit it, and get out some frustration. I might be tempted to put a small rag over it, to prevent flying particles or sparks, if you're going to use a steel hammer.

Whats making it stick?
 

What is making the ball joint stick to the spindle anyway? Is it just rust? hope the new ball joint wont be hard to put in there.

I tried again, hammering and all. I even tried prying with my 5 ft long crow bar. Still not budging. Part of it I think is that the upper bj also seems to be stuck up there. So its not helping with the removal of the lower bj.

Yes the next challenge will be the removal of the bj from the spindle..... but one thing at a time.

Any more ideas to make this go easier would be great. Thansk again.

Heat/Cold comes to mind. Would be nice if we all had a container of liquid nitrogen, wouldn't it?

I hate to have to get out a torch and put heat on something, as I don't want it to loose its temper.
You could try a big ole block of ice...or maybe canned air (turn it upside down, it gets quite cold).

I doubt that penetrating fluid would penetrate much....that's a tight fit.


To remove the joint, put the spindle in a vice, and beat on it with a big ole hammer. Or, if you have a pneumatic hammer, use it. This is another time when you might want to heat the joint itself up a little. If you heat, beware of trapped moisture wanting to pop out with great speed.

Yup
 

Thats actuallywhat I'm doing now. Got the torch out. Heating the bj bolt and the control arm area. This should break any rust in there. Still not budging but got to be patient I guess. Wish me luck.