General: - Ball Joint Splitter Recommendations

PNM · Nov 10th, 2019, 19:33

I'm going to be changing the control arms on my S40 soon, and am looking for an appropriate ball joint splitter. My S40 is one of the later ones, and has the 21mm ball joints.

Most of the ones on Amazon/machine mart/ECP are for 19mm ones, and the ones that look like they might fit either have mostly bad reviews or are a make I've never heard of and seem too cheap to be true.

If anyone has done this job and could recommend a splitter that fits and is up to the task, that would be much appreciated.

TIA

bugsb · Nov 10th, 2019, 19:36

are you talking about the track control arms if so there are 3 types last one being a hammer i kid you not
others like this i have had for many years
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ball-Join...bbb4d0796de7f6

just reread main ball joint on the wishbone the above tool will also do this no idea on quality of the ebay tool though

Simmy · Nov 10th, 2019, 19:59

yep a large hammer will do the job ..old school way.

Whyman · Nov 10th, 2019, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simmy

yep a large hammer will do the job ..old school way.

Only if you have a big enough one for some jobs!

T5R92011 · Nov 10th, 2019, 20:03

You won't get the average ball joint splitter onto these ones due to design of steering knuckle... Just needs a couple of blows with a hammer. Then use a long crow bar or scaffold pipe to lever the arm downwards.

I have 3 different balljoint splitters and none of them will fit into that space.

cheshired5 · Nov 10th, 2019, 21:13

When I changed control arms amongst other things on a C30 with the same setup, a hammer was plenty sufficient for the job.

bugsb · Nov 17th, 2019, 18:42

did you get yours done ok .
i had to do my o/s wishbone sat as the rear bush was bad just as easy to replace the whole wishbone took about an 1hr to do i could not find my ball joint puller but 3 taps with a claw hammer and it was free

PNM · Nov 18th, 2019, 08:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by bugsb

did you get yours done ok .
i had to do my o/s wishbone sat as the rear bush was bad just as easy to replace the whole wishbone took about an 1hr to do i could not find my ball joint puller but 3 taps with a claw hammer and it was free

I've not got around to it yet, I might wait until it gets a bit warmer, don't really fancy sitting on the drive in this weather.

How was your tracking/wheel alignment after you had finished?

bugsb · Nov 18th, 2019, 08:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by PNM

I've not got around to it yet, I might wait until it gets a bit warmer, don't really fancy sitting on the drive in this weather.

How was your tracking/wheel alignment after you had finished?

not been checked will wait untill i have a good look at the n/s, as like you have to wait for dry weather

cancunia · Nov 18th, 2019, 08:45

+1 with the hammer method. Better if you have an extra hammer or something solid to put the other side you're hitting from to concentrate the effect. If you're really well coordinated, maybe hit from both sides at once...

Nov 10th, 2019, 19:33	#1
PNM Member Last Online: Yesterday 20:29 Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Midlands	Ball Joint Splitter Recommendations I'm going to be changing the control arms on my S40 soon, and am looking for an appropriate ball joint splitter. My S40 is one of the later ones, and has the 21mm ball joints. Most of the ones on Amazon/machine mart/ECP are for 19mm ones, and the ones that look like they might fit either have mostly bad reviews or are a make I've never heard of and seem too cheap to be true. If anyone has done this job and could recommend a splitter that fits and is up to the task, that would be much appreciated. TIA

Nov 10th, 2019, 19:36	#2
bugsb Junior Member Last Online: Aug 30th, 2020 19:59 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: northants	are you talking about the track control arms if so there are 3 types last one being a hammer i kid you not others like this i have had for many years https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ball-Join...bbb4d0796de7f6 just reread main ball joint on the wishbone the above tool will also do this no idea on quality of the ebay tool though Last edited by bugsb; Nov 10th, 2019 at 19:51.

Nov 10th, 2019, 20:03	#5
T5R92011 FCW Auto Service Last Online: Apr 17th, 2024 23:49 Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Gloucester	You won't get the average ball joint splitter onto these ones due to design of steering knuckle... Just needs a couple of blows with a hammer. Then use a long crow bar or scaffold pipe to lever the arm downwards. I have 3 different balljoint splitters and none of them will fit into that space. __________________ FCW Auto Service (Gloucester) https://www.fcw-autoservice.com

Nov 10th, 2019, 21:13	#6
cheshired5 Premier Member Last Online: Dec 26th, 2021 13:42 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Crewe	When I changed control arms amongst other things on a C30 with the same setup, a hammer was plenty sufficient for the job. __________________ 2002 S60 SE D5 Manual 209000 miles

Nov 10th, 2019, 19:59	#3
Simmy Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 20:45 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Manchester	yep a large hammer will do the job ..old school way.

Nov 17th, 2019, 18:42	#7
bugsb Junior Member Last Online: Aug 30th, 2020 19:59 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: northants	did you get yours done ok . i had to do my o/s wishbone sat as the rear bush was bad just as easy to replace the whole wishbone took about an 1hr to do i could not find my ball joint puller but 3 taps with a claw hammer and it was free

Nov 18th, 2019, 08:45	#10
cancunia Junior Member Last Online: Nov 6th, 2022 10:51 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Volvo	+1 with the hammer method. Better if you have an extra hammer or something solid to put the other side you're hitting from to concentrate the effect. If you're really well coordinated, maybe hit from both sides at once...

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)