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Ball Joint Separator from Harbor Freight, Works Great!
Brought it from Harbor Freight Tools its a Pittsburgh Automotive 3/4th in. Forged Ball Joint Separator item#99849
Saves time, eliminates destroying things, beneficial on later jobs, no more racket, less risk of injury by not hammering but wear safety glasses in case fragments fly.
I soaked the ball joint bolts with PB blaster and applied a bit of CRC Brake Caliper Synthetic Grease to the ball joint separator bolt to smooth operation and help preserve it. Don't use a impact gun you will destroy it in no time.
03 BMW E39 540i M Sport
Пікірлер: 77
There needs to be a 10 hour version of this where the ratchet keeps turning but never pops the ball joint.
@BimmerM5e39
2 жыл бұрын
🤣 Why not some people will like the suspense!
I had originally used an Autozone loaner tool. It has fatter forks and paddle. It kept slipping off and would work for me. I had previously tried using a separator fork and hammer with no luck as well. Went to Harbor Freight in desperation after seeing video and bought the tool. I proceeded to tighten down and wail on the hub with a hammer. It popped loose with a bang. I did make sure to keep my face and body away from the wheel well. Some caution is absolutely advised when using the tool.
It's good to run the nut up to the top of the threaded shaft before you use the separator so it doesn't mushroom out the top of the shaft.
@BimmerM5e39
5 жыл бұрын
I do use a nut on top when I do this now.
@davegoodwin1848
3 жыл бұрын
Chances are that you're just taking the ball joint out to replace it anyway so what does it matter if the shaft/threads get damaged?
@user-zy1ky5qg1k
3 жыл бұрын
It wouldn't matter your changing the ball joint anyway
Can't say this enough... always make sure that the threads on the ball joint remover are absolutely slathered with either oil, or, preferably a grease, like white lithium grease. Otherwise, the threads on the bolt and the ball joint remover are going to wear out very prematurely.
That was a violent separation.
This what happened if ball joint stud nut was fully removed! It should be loosened up for 3 turns, thus keeping components for flying apart!
@Ashroyer86
6 жыл бұрын
mkrp4 good tip.
@SlackersIndustry
2 жыл бұрын
awsome wisdom 👍
That's why you don't remove your inner tie rod bolt completely, it helps keep the tie rod in place from flying up towards you.
Yes, they work if one has the room on the top. Just did a VW Jetta and no room on top of bolt. In fact, the nut won't come off unless ball joint has been lowered. Had to remove both the old fashioned way...
Ah this is what I need for my VW Bus! Thanks for sharing!
You should lube the threads on the separator and then tap the joint with a hammer after applying pressure. That would be safer.
@nv1493
4 жыл бұрын
^^this. Plus keep the nut loose on the threads so it won't fly off like that. Common practice on pitman puller and this tool as well is tighten-tap- repeat till it comes off. And no impact gun.
@brianfarrell7829
3 жыл бұрын
Will the tool damage the threads at the end of the ball joint?
@Mike-nf6nf
2 жыл бұрын
@@brianfarrell7829 Yes. To avoid this, my Honda Civic service manual states to put a hex nut on the ball joint threads to keep the tool from damaging the threads. In my cases, it's a 10mm or 12mm hex nut, depending on which ball joint is being removed.
It helps to intermittently whack the control arm with a sledge hammer while turning the separator.
Just got one of these will be trying it out this weekend
Better then seeing people beat them Aluminum A Arms with a hammer....
Last resort , have a few M80 s to finish the job . 👍
Eye protection on... mouth guard in.... face mask down.... sheilds up..... commence cranking.
That will knock someone out cold if done this way, Apply pressure, then tap with hammer
@mr.nobody9630
7 жыл бұрын
So, What is the point in buying a Ball Joint Separator if you are going to break loose with a hammer it makes zero sense? is a tool let the tool do its job
@the_truth21
6 жыл бұрын
Mr. Nobody have you ever used a puller? You apply pressure and tap the object and pops right off. No need to keep putting more tension on the tool
@danielstephens4420
5 жыл бұрын
I've popped off at least 500 ball joints like this.Had this HF tool now for 9 years.Hasn't broke yet and I've never been hurt.I do leave the nut on though after mushrooming the first one.
that ball joint seemed to be in good shape
@BimmerM5e39
8 жыл бұрын
It was I had to replace the busted leaking thrust arm bushing with the beefier kind from a E53 X5 in the same original thrust arms
@LTHUTO
7 жыл бұрын
BimmerM5e 39
Bite snaps and celebrations,just watched for flying ball joint once here and there “fuck “ if this tool hits my cock I’m selling the hole car
Mine exploded lol. Brought it right back
Thanks for giving me a heart attack 🤣
Hammer can do the job too ...but this is a safer way to do the job
dam that thing popped rite off.
I used this as a last resort. Ball joint wouldn't come out until i tried this. It worked but went flying. Kinda sketch but then again it is a harbor freight tool,
@dunebasher1971
3 жыл бұрын
Keep the nut on the stud. Then things won't go flying.
I used this the one autozone rents it damaged the treads of the ball joint now have to replace the ball joint and still didn't break loose. I even tried putting tension on it and then tapping it with the hammer and all it did with shootout like it was Spring loaded fly by my face and hit my Fender well nothing else happened
This shit is satisfying
What everyone keeps missing is to strike the ball joint side with a ball peen hammer without the need to tear up the tool by over torquing it so much.
@auxmike
8 жыл бұрын
Never strike aluminum with a hammer!
@DinkAround
7 жыл бұрын
Its cast aluminum, and you can strike it. Don't get carried away, but you can hit it.
@mr.nobody9630
7 жыл бұрын
So, What is the point in buying a Ball Joint Separator if you are going to break loose with a hammer it makes zero sense? is a tool let the tool do its job
@DinkAround
7 жыл бұрын
Mr. Nobody Hammer is only needed when the puller alone is not enough. While I have removed ball joints with a hammer alone, sometime a puller is required in areas of limited hammer access.
@mr.nobody9630
7 жыл бұрын
I understand what you are saying. So why buy the tool in the first place. Just break it loose with the hammer and skip the video at the end of the day, the tool belongs to him and he can use however he pleases. It just doesn't make sense to me.
BMW nice
Can u use it to install the new one
Wow
should leave the nut on it to prevent it from falling unless you don't care.. lol..
Exelente herramienta
Will applying copper compound on the shaft prevent it from binding the future?
@jptrainor
Жыл бұрын
Taper joints are normally assembled clean and dry. They depend on the friction of the taper to lock in place. Lubrication can, worst case, split the knuckle that's receiving the tapered stud.
What size is the nut on the separator?
@BimmerM5e39
Жыл бұрын
Standard 3/4 or 19mm
Use the castle nut to protect the threads?
@Mike-nf6nf
2 жыл бұрын
I'd recommend using a hex nut of the same size. Castle nuts can be hard to locate in shops and cost a lot more than a regular hex nut.
Apply pressure, then tap with hammer...
Great video. I'm getting ready to do my upper(thrust) and lower front control arms. 1998 BMW 540i E39... Have you done the front lower? If so, what tool did you use being the knuckle is much bigger. Were both sides that easy (upper thrust arms)? I have read they are really hard sometimes even with ball joint tool. I was going to get a Hazet 1779-1.... but your tool and technique looks really good. Thanks.
@BimmerM5e39
7 жыл бұрын
I've only replaced the front left lower control arm and both front thrust arm bushings w a upgraded part from a E53 X5, they are polyurethane options for the inner on both arms but the control arm balljoint was shot so needed a whole new arm and the sleeve came out with it as seen in the video. I don't remember if the tool worked there maybe it was too small. The thrust arm bushings were cut and sawed out and new ones were pressed in and torqued at ride height! kzread.info/dash/bejne/pYt1rbNyg7a_naQ.html
My Harbor Freight ball joint separator broke on its Second Use I have a video on my channel
Is it that easy to put new one back in .
@BimmerM5e39
3 жыл бұрын
Yes and no, I cleaned both parts w a brush and some 400grit sandpaper just incase. Then if it was giving me trouble a mallet and worst case a jack.
so now how do you get it off the arm?
@Jasha333
6 жыл бұрын
Romeo Oliva you replace the whole tie rod end ball joint is built in.
I just boguht one 🤣😂🤣
1:08
mazda6
My scared
@LuchoPortugayo
5 жыл бұрын
haha
That's a tie rod end.
@boosted2.4_sky
6 жыл бұрын
Sarah-Zip Guttenberg it's a ball joint in a control arm...
are you kidding? its a piece of shit