Joint separator

[Misanthropy]

Is this tool worth getting if I am going to be replacing the lower front control arms? Was just looking through my helm shop manual and saw it being used in the front suspension disassembly.

 

[logres]

Yes...those lower ball joints gave me fits.

 

[unity]

I used one - and a big hammer.

 

[beerdog]

Unless you really wan to rebuild the ball joint, most will probably agree that it is better to just buy an entire control arm. It will save you alott of time and you will also have new bushings to. It will not be that much mor emoney. Always order the control arm for the 97 t-bird. It is the same part but costs less.

 

[unity]

Thats what he is doing. But you usually need the tool to separate the ball joint form the knuckle.

 

[J]

You don't need a knuckle tool if you're good with a sledge and a pry bar.

http://www.lincolnsclub.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=20798&highlight=front

 

[logres]

You don't need a knuckle tool if you're good with a sledge and a pry bar.

You make it sound like some kind of William Wallace fighting style.

 

[warthog5]

I always wanted one like this.

I have a standard pickle fork and have in the past had a pickle fork for my zip gun.

But they tear the ball joint boots. Sometimes you may need to take it apart and keep the boot in sound condition.

Yes I also have a 3lb hammer for Wopping it. But sometimes it's hard to get the correct angle.

 

[J]

Wow, that is cool! I've never seen one of those.

I've never opted for the pickle fork because any time I'm popping a ball joint loose I'm most likely putting that same one back in and like you said, they tear the boots.

Very true about the sledge, but when you can't hit it hard enough, you just get the bigger pry bar. Haha!