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.

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.

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.

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.

They're called ball joint seperators. See picture:

http://homepage.mac.com/pkrwud/.Pict...BallJoint.jpeg

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

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 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

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

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.