separating ball joints and tie rod ends...best way?

82 GT · 02-19-2002, 04:10 PM

What is the best method to separate ball joints and tie rod ends?
I have heard of using ball joint forks, using a hammer and a twp prong puller. I don't think the hammer is a good choice.
I also heard that the lower ball joints on 79-93 mustangs are not replaceable unless you replace the whole control arms. Is that true? I want to use the best tool that won't damage anything in case I can use those parts again.

crazy5.0 · 02-19-2002, 07:30 PM

A two jaw puller is the best. That's what I used and that's what my Haynes manual says to use. You will have to replace the whole control arms not the bushings alone.

82 GT · 02-19-2002, 10:23 PM

How come all those aftermarket bushing kits come with both sets of ball joints when they know darn well that you can't replace the lowers without replacing the control arms?
I read an article somewhere that showed a guy replacing the lower ball joints by cutting the stock joints that are held in by rivets and installling aftermarket ball joints that bolt in.

Tim89LXvert · 02-20-2002, 01:32 PM

You CAN replace just the ball joint. Just get the ball joint press from Autozone's rent-a-tool, and it is not hard.

I have done ball joints and control arm bushing on mine, and my buddy's cars.

When we separated them from the spindle I used a pickle fork and a hammer since we were replacing them. If you don't want to replace them, get the proper tool from Autozone's rent-a-tool.

PKRWUD · 02-20-2002, 06:45 PM

They're called ball joint seperators. See picture:

FWIW, I had a customer once with a Chevy van that needed a new steering box. I had to pull the tie rod off the ball joint on one side. I tried for an hour to get them apart with a pickle fork and a single jack sledge hammer with no luck. The owner came out and handed me a ball joint seperator that was his personal tool, and let me use it. Before it was even tight, the tie rod popped off. That afternoon I went and bought two of them.

Take care,
-Chris

mean81GT · 02-20-2002, 08:47 PM

pkrwud, that quote about lack of planning at the end of your sig, where does that come from, it sound's very familiar?

ps. 82 GT i will have to come see you when i come to Millville next time around. my wife's family is from there, and we come to the parade every year. we stay in the red roof inn in danville every time.

PKRWUD · 02-20-2002, 09:13 PM

I couldn't say. I first heard it a good 20+ years ago, but I don't remember where.

Maybe it's time to change it.

Take care,
-Chris

82 GT · 02-21-2002, 04:07 PM

No disrespect MEAN 81GT, but there is no such thing as an 81 GT
The GT didn't return until 1982

mean81GT · 02-22-2002, 03:56 PM

i know that. suspension, brakes, wheels, tires, everything that makes a GT a GT, is in my car, transferred from an 84 and an 85 GT. It is easier to call my car a GT than it is to list every part that made my car a GT equivalent.

they didn't come with 5.0's either, but i have that too.

02-19-2002, 04:10 PM	#1
82 GT Import Slayer Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 2,241	separating ball joints and tie rod ends...best way? What is the best method to separate ball joints and tie rod ends? I have heard of using ball joint forks, using a hammer and a twp prong puller. I don't think the hammer is a good choice. I also heard that the lower ball joints on 79-93 mustangs are not replaceable unless you replace the whole control arms. Is that true? I want to use the best tool that won't damage anything in case I can use those parts again. __________________ '82 GT 351W (.060)Comp Cams 274* Extreme Energy cam, ported & polished heads w/ 1.94/1.60 valves 10.3:1 flat top pistons,stealth intake, Mallory dizzy,Holley 750dp carb, BBK shorties,Flowmaster exhaust,C-4 with 3700 stall converter, B&M pro shifter,8.8 rear, 4:10's, subframes, electric fan, powermaster alternator, 4 core radiator.

02-19-2002, 07:30 PM	#2
crazy5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Mission Viejo,Ca Posts: 37	A two jaw puller is the best. That's what I used and that's what my Haynes manual says to use. You will have to replace the whole control arms not the bushings alone. __________________ 89gt,3.27's,Auburn,tremec 3550,Steeda tri-ax,aluminum driveshaft,Asp underdrives,Flowmast er 3 chamber,March ram air,130 amp alternator,Koni yellow struts,Kyb shocks,Pirelli p-6000's,MM's lower control arms and full length subs

02-19-2002, 10:23 PM	#3
82 GT Import Slayer Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 2,241	How come all those aftermarket bushing kits come with both sets of ball joints when they know darn well that you can't replace the lowers without replacing the control arms? I read an article somewhere that showed a guy replacing the lower ball joints by cutting the stock joints that are held in by rivets and installling aftermarket ball joints that bolt in. __________________ '82 GT 351W (.060)Comp Cams 274* Extreme Energy cam, ported & polished heads w/ 1.94/1.60 valves 10.3:1 flat top pistons,stealth intake, Mallory dizzy,Holley 750dp carb, BBK shorties,Flowmaster exhaust,C-4 with 3700 stall converter, B&M pro shifter,8.8 rear, 4:10's, subframes, electric fan, powermaster alternator, 4 core radiator.

02-20-2002, 01:32 PM	#4
Tim89LXvert Registered Member Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Toledo, Ohio, USA Posts: 269	You CAN replace just the ball joint. Just get the ball joint press from Autozone's rent-a-tool, and it is not hard. I have done ball joints and control arm bushing on mine, and my buddy's cars. When we separated them from the spindle I used a pickle fork and a hammer since we were replacing them. If you don't want to replace them, get the proper tool from Autozone's rent-a-tool. __________________ 1989 LX Convertible, blue with white top and leather, 5 speed. Engine: GT40 al. heads, Cobra intake, TFS cam, 1.7RR, etc.... LOLDrivetrain: SPEC II clutch & FMS Billet flywheel, Pro 5.0 shifter w/Cobra knob and aluminum driveshaft through 3.73:1 gears.Chassis: 4 wheel disk w/Cobra front brakes, GT rears and 2001 "Bullitt" wheels Rear: MM adjustable LCAs with Griggs springs, KYB shocks. Front: Koni red struts, FMS "C" springs and full poly bushings. Full length MM sub frame connectors, steeda 2pt. K-brace.Misc.: 130a alt. upgrade, R134a conversion. Photos of my car

02-20-2002, 06:45 PM	#5
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	They're called ball joint seperators. See picture: FWIW, I had a customer once with a Chevy van that needed a new steering box. I had to pull the tie rod off the ball joint on one side. I tried for an hour to get them apart with a pickle fork and a single jack sledge hammer with no luck. The owner came out and handed me a ball joint seperator that was his personal tool, and let me use it. Before it was even tight, the tie rod popped off. That afternoon I went and bought two of them. Take care, -Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

02-20-2002, 08:47 PM	#6
mean81GT Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NY Posts: 299	pkrwud, that quote about lack of planning at the end of your sig, where does that come from, it sound's very familiar? ps. 82 GT i will have to come see you when i come to Millville next time around. my wife's family is from there, and we come to the parade every year. we stay in the red roof inn in danville every time. __________________ I'm a glutton for punishment.

02-20-2002, 09:13 PM	#7
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	I couldn't say. I first heard it a good 20+ years ago, but I don't remember where. Maybe it's time to change it. Take care, -Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!

02-21-2002, 04:07 PM	#8
82 GT Import Slayer Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 2,241	No disrespect MEAN 81GT, but there is no such thing as an 81 GT The GT didn't return until 1982 __________________ '82 GT 351W (.060)Comp Cams 274* Extreme Energy cam, ported & polished heads w/ 1.94/1.60 valves 10.3:1 flat top pistons,stealth intake, Mallory dizzy,Holley 750dp carb, BBK shorties,Flowmaster exhaust,C-4 with 3700 stall converter, B&M pro shifter,8.8 rear, 4:10's, subframes, electric fan, powermaster alternator, 4 core radiator.

02-22-2002, 03:56 PM	#9
mean81GT Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NY Posts: 299	i know that. suspension, brakes, wheels, tires, everything that makes a GT a GT, is in my car, transferred from an 84 and an 85 GT. It is easier to call my car a GT than it is to list every part that made my car a GT equivalent. they didn't come with 5.0's either, but i have that too. __________________ I'm a glutton for punishment. Last edited by mean81GT; 02-22-2002 at 04:02 PM..