Suspension Brakes 1st Gen Most liked posts in thread: Ever used a correct inner ball joint tool?

  1. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #2 Minidave, Nov 7, 2016
    Are you trying to change the ball joint in the car? Cause I think you have to drop the subframe (at least some) to remove that ball joint. Have you done the lower control arm bushings too? if not drop the subframe and do them all at once....then you can use a regular ball joint separator similar to that one but you can buy them at Harbor Freight for $20 or less, or borrow one from you local parts store.
     
  2. Dennis Bratland

    Dennis Bratland New Member

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    #3 Dennis Bratland, Nov 7, 2016
    Nope, not trying to do anything. Already done.

    I've done this a few different ways, and I've tried a few different styles of ball joint separators, and none of them work the way the BMW tool supposedly would. Last time, I tried a tool that is very close to the BMW design, but as I said, the jaws are too short, so I just took the ball joint off the subframe and separated the control arm off the car.

    My only question now is only whether or not anyone has ever done it themselves the official way with the official tool, or a tool that is close enough to work the same. I'm wondering if such a tool even exists, or ever existed.
     
  3. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #4 Steve, Nov 7, 2016
    Not me. I, also, made due with one of those cheapo separators.
     
  4. Minidave

    Minidave Well-Known Member
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    #5 Minidave, Nov 7, 2016
    The only times I've replaced the inner ball joints I've done all the others at the same time, along with the control arm bushings, so I just drop the subframe. It's a little more work but it makes the job a lot easier......

    And I have a Harbor Freight style separator that I bought about 30 years ago, still works great.