Tool recommendations for CV and ball joints

[Nuvo]

I'm looking to separate the upper and lower ball joints on the car without damaging them as they are relatively new. Is it possible to do this and if so can anyone recommend a decent splitter for the task?

In the past, I used a cheap jaw style separator from Clarke but it snapped on me and had to resort to using a fork which inevitably damaged the the rubber bush on the ball-joint.

I would also be interested to know what tool you guys recommend to fit the clamp rings supplied with a new CV boot kit. Would the long handle plier type tool be sufficient enough to do a proper job or do I need the type which has 3/8" drive to supply the addition torque to close the seal as tight as possible?

Thanks for any pointers and links to your tools of choice.

Cheers,
Rob.

[rj scotty]

I've never struggled to get the ball joints to come loose on the S2.
The T4 is another story

I have a jaw type separator but the cv joint being in the way prevents you from using it

Your right about the fork type, always splits the rubber boot.

CV boot "ear" type clamps, I brought a cheap (£15 ish) plier type set off ebay which appear to do the job OK. Used them a few times now and not had a problem.

I'd be interested to see what separators are available

[andy10v]

I have

Track rod end ball joint (my first choice) I sometimes dismantle the tool and use it as a fork for the lower ball joint (seems to go round the boot) My cheap one snapped trying to split a civic lower ball joint.


Doesnt fit over the steering arm (may be bigger ones avaliable?)


Sometimes handy (falls off easily)


When all else fails, and invariably for the lower ball joint.


You can buy spare boots online if you need to use a fork.

Interested in the CV boot tool replies.

Audi tool for the track rod, I cant see anything for the lower joint.

[Error404]

I have a pair of these CV boot clip pliers:




They are very useful

[Error404]

And i have one of these similar to what Andy posted, never let me down... yet

[K7ERG]

Helpful thread as I have to remove the strut for wheel bearing and bottom arms in the next few weeks. Where do you get the one pictured above?

[rj scotty]

And i have one of these similar to what Andy posted, never let me down... yet

You cant use these on the lower ball joint as the outer cv joint is in the way.
Useful track rod end though.

Available from any draper stockist

[Error404]

you shouldn't need a tool for the bottom ball joint, it should just pull out once the retaining pinch bolt isd removed

[rj scotty]

The s2 always come out easy for me the ones on the t4, especially the upper ones are right f**kers

[Nuvo]

Thanks for the replies guys.

The jaw type one I had must have been made from cheese, I like the look of the bearing puller style puller Andy shows for the track rod ends.

The Laser CV boot clamp pliers from Machine mart looks to be adequate for occasional use for the home mechanic.

I notice that Machine Mart also stock the other type of CV boot clamp tool I mentioned in my first post:
Linky

It certainly looks the business but is difficult to justify the cost when its not going see a lot of use at all.

edit: I just found this pic if you're stuck and don't have the proper clamping tool to hand:


Hmmm. image tags don't appear to be working for me with this image for some reason. Here is a direct link instead. Linky

[Nuvo]

I've never struggled to get the ball joints to come loose on the S2.
The T4 is another story

You need one of these.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWxWXvmJxwE

[macspring]

Audi tool for the track rod, I cant see anything for the lower joint.

I bought a Draper 100mm version of this tool.

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Twin-Leg-Reversible-Puller-100mm-Sealey-SGP24

What you need also is a "G" clamp, with a non swivel head, to clamp onto the outside of the two legs of the pullers to stop them slipping off the arm that sticks out from the suspension strut. Sounds like a faff, and takes a minute or two to set up, and it is handiest to use a 17mm ratchet spanner to operate the pullers. But when it is set up it exerts a lot of force and always pops the balljoint, even more easily when it has a bit of copper grease on the balljoint from the last time.

Sorry the reply is so long, but it does work, assuming you can follow when I mean.

[baltiboyS2]

you need none when removing the track rod end use a copper mallet hammer and smack the part the rod end goes into and that will free the track rod end

As for the ball joint again they drop out and will need just a little tap with the mallet if it is tight use a chisel and smack it into the slot to open it up a little and the give the arm a little tap down and out it comes i have been working on our types of barges for years now and have never had one not come out easily


cheers Raj

[baltiboyS2]

I have a pair of these CV boot clip pliers:




They are very useful

And handy for crimping the cv boot clips if you dont have one then a good set of pliers will do the trick


cheers Raj

[Mikes2]

I use a two leg puller for the track rod end.

The bottom ball joint is easy. A long 1/2" drive extension bar on the ball joint body - bang the end with a hammer and it will drop down.

Tile cutters will do the cv joint clamp