urgent!!! changing front shocks how do you...

[low325icab]

im stuck on getting the ball joint off the suspension arm so i can change the shocks inside, any one no of an easy way to do this???

[dazleeds]

you need a splitter mate then should be lot easier
dnt try hammering it out as youll just fook the the balljoint thread hth

[low325icab]

ive got the car in bits and have no splitter, would a crow bar and a big hammer do it?

[dazleeds]

might do it but cant guarentee it mate

just be carefull it dnt slip and injure you or rip the rubber boot

[fuzzy]

screw an old nut half on to the thread of the ball joint then hammer away,the nut will stop the threads being damaged.

[ouch]

use the crow bar to leaver the arm down and hit were the bull joint gose in with a hammer but like daz said mind the tread i never use a bull joint splitter when i do them i find they puncher the bull joint

[A1BMW325iSport]

use a ball joint splitter mate, i bought one from halfords couple of years back works everytime.

[low325icab]

cheers for all your help guys, i managed to do it with just a bar and a hammer in the end as i wasnt able to get a splitter. all done and sorted now so cheers all

[d6dph]

sorry i couldnt help more earlier ryan, was out shopping with dad so i couldnt just leave him there! how are the new shocks?

[chu346]

For future reference you should hit the hub were the ball joint bolts to, and also disconnect the anti roll bar.

[jaistanley]

I second that.. If you smack the side of the hub, the bit the ball joint taper is inside, the shock loosens the taper. Quite satisfying too..

Jai

[Globulator]

I saw recently an interesting article that was about changing the shocks without separating the balljoint.

It was simply done by compressing the springs, taking off the shock mount and then unscrewing the shock retaining ring while still in the car. The shock then comes up through the shock mount hole.

Not as neat as taking it off but an interesting way of doing it that saves some hassle if you don't fancy the balljoint...

[smithy318i]

Damn. If only i had bought a splitter i would have been able to get the front struts off me breaker.

I hammered for about 3 hours then gave up on them. CRAP !