Urgent ball joint advice required

[Derek]

So today the plan was to chandelier lower ball joints and drop links in my 2002 z3 however I can't get the lower ball joint off. After unscrewing the nut and using a ball joint separator tool still no joy. I just can't get enough clearance to undo the nut fully.

Please someone help I still have the other side to do

 

[Nodzed]

Thats strange mine undid no problem, are we talking the ball joint onto the hub?

 

[Derek]

That's what I'm facing. The nut is unscrewed and sitting at the top of the thread but I can't seem to release the ball joint to lower it and unscrew the bolt

 

[Nodzed]

That's what I'm facing. The nut is unscrewed and sitting at the top of the thread but I can't seem to release the ball joint to lower it and unscrew the bolt

Either get a bar and force the wishbone down to give clearance to get the nut off (my choice) or separate the lower end of the shock from the hub, there's a long horizontal bolt this will allow you move the shock away from the ball joint, I had done this before removing the ball joint hence no issues

Niall

 

[Derek]

Cheers @NODZED I'll give that a bash.

 

[Nodzed]

Either get a bar and force the wishbone down to give clearance to get the nut off (my choice) or separate the lower end of the shock from the hub, there's a long horizontal bolt this will allow you move the shock away from the ball joint, I had done this before removing the ball joint hence no issues

Niall

Dont forget if you separate the shock from the hub will be free watch you hoses and wires

 

[Derek]

The nut is off... I repeat the nut is off.... ball joint still not budging tho haha

 

[Nodzed]

Hit it harder

 

[Antm72]

Have you tried striking the hub where the ball joint goes through this should shock it to drop the ball joint it is tapered.

 

[Steve Medlock]

 

[Derek]

So 2 of us knocking the crap out of this ball joint and nothing. Not even moving

 

[Derek]

@Steve Medlock been using one of them

 

[Steve Medlock]

Ball Joint separator fork.

 

[Steve Medlock]

@Steve Medlock been using one of them

OK sorry.

 

[Antm72]

Its gonna need some heat then its unusual to be so stuck and the correct tool also not workingas well

 

[Nodzed]

OK jack the hub up to get the wishbone in the horizontal this may take some pinch pressure off the taper then get a long bar if poss between the hub carrier and the wishbone then get someone to put a load of force on the bar and use the taper splitter again. (watch fingers)

 

[Jack Ratt]

You just need a big hammer to break the taper, give it a good wack. I used a 4lb lump hammer on mine and it loosened after a few knocks. An ordinary hammer isn't a lot of use.

 

[Derek]

Wee update...the arm is off. Two new arms are on order now. Trying to take the ball jointo out the arm was almost as much fun as trying to get the arm off. Completely welded together. So cars off the road untill next weekend

 

[Tracy Dee]

The mobile mechanic I got to do my near side outer lower ball joint as it had slight play not an MOT fail but advisory before I bought it.
Had terrible trouble took him 3 hours of heating it up big hammer really was a pig of a job he said it's better to change the whole arm in future much easier.
The replacement ball joint had to be persuaded back in as well not a easy job.

 

[littlefeller]

i changed mine a couple of years ago, fork, hammer and alot of whacking later - nothing, not even slightly budging, alot of cussing later i set there sitting on the removed wheel contemplating my next move and low and behold it suddenly just dropped out by itself, could believe it.