Lower ball joints, tips needed, any BTDT's?

[LHD_Kid]

I have searched through the forum for tips on this, not finding anything...
I have been told that I will more than likely need a puller for this as hammering will not do it, are there any tips for doing this, as I don't have a puller and have to do this myself... I have got the joint and all relevant bolts coming (thanks Martynf )
Is there a way to do this without specialist tools? I do have a torque wrench and decent selection of tools, but no puller.
Joint in question is LH rear, its the one mounted on the end of the wishbone, through the camber adjustment plate...
All ideas gratefully received.
Thanks

[Fat Audi 80]

I am doing this soon and am hoping to do it with a ball joint seperator. Is this going to do the job?

(It a cast big wedged chisel but with a split down the centre of the blade to allow for the ball joint upright.... IYSWIM )

Cheers,

Steve.

[4WheelDrifter]

No special tools required for lower ball joints. Just undo the 3 bolts on the wishbone, and the pinchbolt on the wheel bearing housing. Then I use a large flat bladed screwdriver to open up the split in the housing, the ball joint should fall out then.

[Skull]

I am probably mistaken, but u mean the ball joint on the far left?

[Skull]

So i was right. I cant possibly think why would u use a special tool? For what? Once you remove the bolt from the strut, use the special tool called hammer (the rubber one!), and knock on the wishbone. it will fall out like nothing. Then you remove the key 13 bolts. and... oh yes, you require another special tool. a cold beer.

[4WheelDrifter]

I have searched through the forum for tips on this, not finding anything...

Well, I didn't like to say there not much to say about this job, as it's so simple.

[S2central.net]

Top tip 1 - Be sure to loosen the wishbone bolts at the subframe before attempting to get the bottom joint out.

Top tip 2 - Carefully mark the position of existing balljoint before removal so you can line up the new one in the same place (assuming your alignment is good today)

Top tip 3 - Do NOT attempt to fully tighten the wishbone nuts at the subframe unless the full weight of the car is acting on them.

These can be a bit of a ****** to do if the joint is rusted into the hub carrier - had a couple of gnarly ones in the past... Ended up using a forked balljoint tool with a hammer to get the old ones out. This is only a last resort as it invariably damages the rubber boot.

[LHD_Kid]

Thanks for the advice, the only reason I asked is that if I remove something and get stuck half way... thats it, I am stuck,... nobody to ask, no garages to do it, no tools, etc... you get the picture...
As with most things, if you know, or have done one before, its easy....
So now (like with the fuel filter) I am happy to give it a go...
Cheers
Chris

[iain1067]

Might want to get vag parts to send you a new pinch bolt and nut, sods law being the old one is rusted and i think they are a use once only bolt anyway???

[LHD_Kid]

Yes, I suggested this to Martyn and he agreed... all on its way...

[Jas11n]

Joint in question is LH rear, its the one mounted on the end of the wishbone, through the camber adjustment plate...
All ideas gratefully received.
Thanks

Pictures are always nice >>> Linky

Jas..

[LHD_Kid]

Pictures are always nice >>> Linky

Jas..

Jas..... Damn you're good....

[blown_vr6]

Just replaced my nearside front bj this afternoon.
Once the car is jacked and supported it took less than 1/2 hour to remove the old one and refit then new one.
Make sure you scribe on your old joint where it meets the wishbojne so as to get the camber correct, you can then take a measurement and mark the new joint thus replacing in the same position when refitting.
Brief summary - jack car, wheel off, arb drop link remove from strut,loosen wishbone mounts from subframe a tad,undo through bolt on hub for balljoint, undo 3 wishbone/balljoint bolts (make sure you scribe or take a camber measurement before undoing), prise balljoint out of hub carrier, remove balljoint from wishbone.
Reverse for refitting

Pete.

[LHD_Kid]

Can someone tell me why you have to undo the camber angle bolts, etc..... is it not possible to just remove the ball joint and replace without moving the camber setting?

[4WheelDrifter]

If you undo the 3 bolts the ball joint can slide in and out of the wishbone. That is the camber adjustment.