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Removing wishbones without damaging ball joints?

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Old 10 October 2016, 12:08 PM
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Jay Cartay
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Default Removing wishbones without damaging ball joints?

I need to swap mine over to some Spec C items. I already have to get the bloody bushes out of those which will be fun so that I can fit my SuperPro kit, but I'd also like to avoid busting the ball joint when I remove the old ones as I have the SP roll centre kit on there.

Would one of these be my best bet?
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-too...-separator-cup

I usually use a fork these days but the joints never come out intact when doing so.
Old 10 October 2016, 12:26 PM
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Bazil_SW
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Forks are the easier option but as you say but will (most likely) damage the rubber boot.

Second best option I find are the scissor type, but pack the screw out with an old socket or something as the screw thread can bend if it's wound out too far. Soak the ball joint taper in wd40 or plus gas for bit before then wind up the tool and tap the wishbone around the taper with a hammer, then it should go with a bang....

Good luck!
Old 10 October 2016, 01:14 PM
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Originally Posted by 53
Those splitters 9/10 kill the bush. Mallet on the end usually releases but it can be a tw@t.
Swift mallet to the end of the ball joint's threaded part? Won't damage it will it?
Old 10 October 2016, 01:15 PM
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Just a thought, don't Imprezas have cups on the ball joint? If so, will the wishbone itself not come off easily but leave the cup stuck on the ball joint which can then just be inserted into the replacement wishbone?
Old 10 October 2016, 02:01 PM
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1509joe
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Slacken nut leave on so not to damage threads. Avoid rubber batter the living **** out of the side of the wishbone 99 times out of 100 it'll pop off.

Last edited by 1509joe; 10 October 2016 at 02:02 PM.
Old 10 October 2016, 03:12 PM
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Ash Webster
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ruined both sides of my front balljoints rubber taking them off with the fork new ones it is!
Old 10 October 2016, 04:50 PM
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edsel
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As joe said; Loosed the bottom castle nut the hold a lump hammer to one side of the arm next to the ball joint. Hit the other side with another hammer. Haven't damaged a boot yet.
Old 18 October 2016, 12:35 AM
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Jay Cartay
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Originally Posted by edsel
As joe said; Loosed the bottom castle nut the hold a lump hammer to one side of the arm next to the ball joint. Hit the other side with another hammer. Haven't damaged a boot yet.
So basically brace it with a hammer on one side then try and shock it free by whacking it on the other?
Old 18 October 2016, 10:19 AM
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1509joe
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One hammer will do 99 times out of a hundred.
Old 18 October 2016, 01:51 PM
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Jay Cartay
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Hitting the side of it rather than whacking the top or bottom?
Old 18 October 2016, 02:51 PM
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Right that worked perfectly so Cheers all
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