Ball Joint Tie Rod Separator Tool

nholmes · Tue, Apr-18-2017, 06:19:12 PM

I'm in CA, but my car is from Ohio/New Jersey.

I used the tool from HF. I've had it for years and I love it.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-qua...tor-99849.html

Braymond141 · Tue, Apr-18-2017, 07:19:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiveightandten

You west coast and southern guys have it so easy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Not everyone lives in Cali.

It is my understanding that this technique works just as well with rusted parts.

**Obioban** · Tue, Apr-18-2017, 07:29:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braymond141

It is my understanding that this technique works just as well with rusted parts.

Quick Tip - Separating Ball Joints and Tie Rod Ends - YouTube

Sadly it does not.

fiveightandten · Tue, Apr-18-2017, 09:13:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braymond141

It is my understanding that this technique works just as well with rusted parts.

Quick Tip - Separating Ball Joints and Tie Rod Ends - YouTube

Not typically. I just did the front end on my 330ci this past weekend. The outer ball joints are the problem. I beat the hell out of the driver's side with a pickle fork and it wouldn't budge. I moved to the separator pictured above. The shaft was so fused into the spindle that the ball joint basically exploded when it broke loose.

**Obioban** · Tue, Apr-18-2017, 09:49:02 PM

Yeah, it's like a gun going off sometimes. Last time I did one, it actually ruined the threading on the tool pictured above (greased threads at that).

nholmes · Tue, Apr-18-2017, 10:07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fiveightandten

The shaft was so fused into the spindle that the ball joint basically exploded when it broke loose.

Scares the shit out of me everytime. Each time I give the wrench a 1/4 turn I flinch and cover my nuts in case the tool explodes lol

TheSt|G · Wed, Apr-19-2017, 01:14:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braymond141

It is my understanding that this technique works just as well with rusted parts.

Worked on my 911 that had seen California style use, but never on anything DD here in the Northeast.

NolliM3 · Wed, Apr-19-2017, 03:48:13 AM

Since I don't have a sledge hammer, I might as well get the Harbor Freight one (same as pictured)...I just have a regular hammer and small handle hammer. I glad Nick shared that explosion...I'll be doing the replacement at my apartment parking lot and didn't want to make any loud bang, bang. I got permission to work on the car because it's a special BMW (what I told the manager).

Tue, Apr-18-2017, 09:49:02 PM	#15
Obioban Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 35,396 In the garage: '03 BMW 530 '04 Bmw E46 M3 '01 BMW M5 '95 BMW M3 '05 BMW M3 Reputation: 54 Location: SE PA	Re: Ball Joint Tie Rod Separator Tool Yeah, it's like a gun going off sometimes. Last time I did one, it actually ruined the threading on the tool pictured above (greased threads at that). __________________ Current Cars: 2005 IR/IR M3, 2001 LMB/blk M5, 03 530i, 04 M3 wagon, and some boring stuff Past cars: 04 M3, 96 M3, S50B32 e36 M3 CM race car

Wed, Apr-19-2017, 03:48:13 AM	#18
NolliM3 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 793 Reputation: 0 Location: Louisiana	Re: Ball Joint Tie Rod Separator Tool Since I don't have a sledge hammer, I might as well get the Harbor Freight one (same as pictured)...I just have a regular hammer and small handle hammer. I glad Nick shared that explosion...I'll be doing the replacement at my apartment parking lot and didn't want to make any loud bang, bang. I got permission to work on the car because it's a special BMW (what I told the manager). __________________ 1995 Alpine White...X-Brace, Fan delete, Cold Air Intake

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