[DeTomaso] Techno Question: Lower front ball joints

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 2/20/12 19 26 51, julian_kift at hotmail.com writes:


> 
> The use of a ball joint separator tool is a great way to avoid hitting 
> things, available at your favorite local Chinese tool outlet or Sears, quality 
> and country of origin is probably the same in both cases, but price 
> usually differs significantly ;>) Hopefully somebody on list may have experience 
> of a particular brand that worked for them?
> 

You can rent a multi-piece suspension component separation kit from any 
auto parts store--O'Reilly's rents them for free (!).   This is a generic five 
piece kit that has several very nice tools for this job.   Harbor Freight 
sells a version for about a hundred bucks:

http://www.harborfreight.com/5-piece-front-end-service-tool-set-66686.html

The tool at the upper left is the one you want to use.   In practice, you 
hammer the forks past the ball joint, with the lever underneath.   Then turn 
the bolt on the right side of the tool, which forces the lever up and pops 
the ball joint free.

The tool is cast rather crudely and it doesn't want to go into place 
easily; some judicious grinding with a die grinder sharpens it and makes it go in 
just fine without damaging the boots.

Of course, this particular operation is brought about by damaged boots 
anyway, but still, it makes sense to spend a little time improving the tool 
before using it.   The auto parts store guys will never notice, and everybody 
who uses it after you do will appreciate your efforts too.

Mike