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.

 

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!

 

Swift mallet to the end of the ball joint's threaded part? Won't damage it will it?

 

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?

 

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.

 

ruined both sides of my front balljoints rubber taking them off with the fork new ones it is!

 

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?

 

One hammer will do 99 times out of a hundred.

 

Hitting the side of it rather than whacking the top or bottom?

 

Right that worked perfectly so Cheers all