elisparts Ball joint removal tool

r10crw · Post by **r10crw** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:30 am

Guys as well as away to replace my front ball joints and considering buying this tool. Is it any good? is it able to press in the joints? Last time I just got a garage to press in the joints but would much prefer to do it myself. Cheers Craig.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:40 am

Yes its good. but get some spare studding (Or long bolts) and some spare nuts as they take a beating. Lube everything too.

Ball joints in the freezer overnight is a good idea also ensure the ball joints are the right size. I had a set of QH joints that were all the same number but 2 different sizes....

mac · Post by **mac** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:42 am

Craig,

Works fine.

I got some spare high tensile bolts as I managed to snap the ones supplied (easy to do if you don't line up the bottom bit correctly).

Makes the job very simple.

Mac

Lawrence · Post by **Lawrence** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:45 am

Stu does them too IIRC

YvoTuk · Post by **YvoTuk** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:45 am

The problem with a number of ball joints (not only QH) is that they show quite a big margin in terms of fitment or stiffness.

I've tested a number of different ball joints and found most of them not to be good. (incorrect fitment, too stiff, too loose, wearing too fast etc.)

Mind you, I've even seen a batch of QH on which the studs were different which made the upright sit higher or lower (depending on the position) then it is designed for

The ball joints we're doing now are a specific part number for us. This means they are for Lotus Elise/Exige/340R and nothing else.

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 9:52 am

You'll need a ball joint splitter too to get the taper out of the ball joint plinth. You will also need a big hammer.... Mine split with an almighty crack

r10crw · Post by **r10crw** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:42 am

Thanks Guys, Yvo ill be ordering four from you very shortly. Lawrence just as well you mentioned Stu, Im looking at his ali bell discs so will have to question him later, hell probably see this shortly anyway.
Rich why will I need the splitter? I thought it was just a case of pressing the old joint out then the new one in.

YvoTuk · Post by **YvoTuk** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 10:53 am

You will need to seperate the ball joint from the plinth first. After that, you can press it out. The splitter is needed to 'do' the separation.

Get a proper one btw, the ball joints can get pretty stuck in the plinths

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:12 pm

What he said get the screw type not the fork type.

robin · Post by **robin** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:58 pm

Hmm - I have no recollection of ever using a splitter on any elise balljoints I have ever changed - I wonder how I did split them? I remember that the aperture for undoing the lock nut on the bottom joint is quite restricted - I wonder if undoing the nut (perhaps with something wedged on top of it) would make your very own balljoint push tool?

Cheers,
Robin

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:27 pm

Mine were properly stuck and needed application of my larger blatting stick to remove it.

mac · Post by **mac** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 5:27 pm

I unscrewed the plinth from the hub. Still needed a splitter though

Mac

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 6:07 pm

I don't recall needing the splitter either. I seem to recall that just adjusting the steering was enough to split the joint (after removing the nut).

I also used the Elise Parts removal tool. Wee bit pricey for what it is but certainly makes light work of what could be a PITA job if you needed to remove the wishbone.

fd · Post by fd » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:54 pm

robin wrote:Hmm - I have no recollection of ever using a splitter on any elise balljoints I have ever changed - I wonder how I did split them? I remember that the aperture for undoing the lock nut on the bottom joint is quite restricted - I wonder if undoing the nut (perhaps with something wedged on top of it) would make your very own balljoint push tool?

Cheers,
Robin

Conversely I've never changed a wishbone end balljoint that didn't make me want to run away and hide from the schrapnel of the splitter exploding because it was under so much pressure . . . when removing the balljoint from the plinth.

Weird . . .

Perhaps you forgot to remember because of the fear ?

Fd

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 7:47 am

I clamped the splitter up as tight as I dared then had to go fetch my hammer. Gave it a few whacks, nothing happened. Went back to get a bigger hammer few more whacks, nothing. So back to the toolbox to see if there was something else I could use then *BANG* ball joint and splitter ricochet off the tarmac and I dive for cover....