Non-Audi help needed.

[dmacdou1]

Hi all, need some help/advice here, not an audi but i know you lot have great collective experience with doing stuff like this so any tips would be appreciated.

Currently trying to change the clutch on my 2001 Ford Focus, however in order to drop the gearbox i need to remove the driveshafts first. This is where i've hit a wall, to get the driveshafts out i need to disconnect the lower wishbone balljoint from the hub, and it point bank refuses to come out. The quote from Haynes manual "remove the retaining bolt then lever the balljoint out". I got the bolt out ok but short of getting a giant *** crowbar on it i cant see how i'm goin to get the balljoint out, its solid.

So, any tips then please?

[driftin jo]

Get a big screw driver or similar implement and get it in the gap and pry it open a bit, sometimes you can do this by tapping it in with a hammer , this will loosen it up.

[madpugger]

As Jo says, open up the gap with a chisel or driver and hammer, then a big bar between the subframe and the wishbone to pry it down.

[andy10v]

short of getting a giant *** crowbar on it i cant see how i'm goin to get the balljoint out, its solid.

So, any tips then please?

Whats wrong with that

Sometime striking a sharp blow with a hammer whilst lever can shock it and it just jumps out.

[dmacdou1]

Whats wrong with that

Sometime striking a sharp blow with a hammer whilst lever can shock it and it just jumps out.

Nothing really i suppose(if i had one), just was wondering if there were any sneaky tricks to doing stuff like this. Oh well, giant *** crowbar it is then!

While i'm on, any general clutch changing tips for me folks?

[andy10v]

Ball joint forks can work but can be a bit brutal if misapplied, can tear boots as well.

My tip would be the hammer, use a lever (jack can supply constant load), and smack it firmly, also watched an old guy smack both side with a hammer simultaneously and the joint just popped out

[dmacdou1]

Update, thanks for the tips lads, got there in the end(lump hammers are great arent they ). Just successfully completed my first ever clutch change on the street outside my house, knackered but pretty chuffed .

Cheers again for the help.