Y33 removing strut- how to pop out ball joint? (1997 Q45 w pic)

[bigblue]

I am trying to remove the front struts on my 1997 q45 and have everything off for the exception of the lower ball joint. I was able to get a 2 jaw puller on tie rod end to pop that off but cannot clear the strut to use a puller to pop off the lower ball joint. I don't want to kill the seal using a pickle fork. Must I leave it on and remove the control arm as well can somebody offer a trick? Thanks

[NSR_s30]

If you don't want to damage it with a picklefork then you could try hitting the part of the knuckle where the ball joint goes into. See it'll pop out. If that doesn't work you can try to heat it up, just don't torch the balljoint. Good luck.

[bullittandy]

Leave the balljoint connected and remove the lower control arm at the inside bolt.

[bigblue]

Thanks NSR_s30 I did try exactly that briefly before posting this. I figured that if there were a special trick to it, it might involve some type of nut/bolt setup which could expand and press upon the stud of the ball joint. I guess I was hoping for a McGuyver supply list of some sort.

If you don't want to damage it with a picklefork then you could try hitting the part of the knuckle where the ball joint goes into. See it'll pop out. If that doesn't work you can try to heat it up, just don't torch the balljoint. Good luck.

[maxnix]

Do what Andy says, then separate with a hydraulic press.

[RAP]

I am trying to remove the front struts on my 1997 q45 and have everything off for the exception of the lower ball joint. I was able to get a 2 jaw puller on tie rod end to pop that off but cannot clear the strut to use a puller to pop off the lower ball joint. I don't want to kill the seal using a pickle fork. Must I leave it on and remove the control arm as well can somebody offer a trick? Thanks

Jack up the control arm slightly and slip a jack stand under the knuckle. Back off the ball joint nut even with the ball joint threads, as you appear to have done from the photo.

I use a heavy BRASS MAUL short handle. Give a good whack on the nut and she should slip/fall out. If not, repeat.

Good luck. Jack

[bullittandy]

Are you removing the balljoint to replace it? Or are you simply trying to take the strut off?

If its the former then take the whole assembly to a machine shop and have them remove the old, put on the new.

If its the latter then just remove the control arm by removing the bolt.

[bigblue]

Are you removing the balljoint to replace it? Or are you simply trying to take the strut off?

If its the former then take the whole assembly to a machine shop and have them remove the old, put on the new.

If its the latter then just remove the control arm by removing the bolt.

I got them off this morning by heating the strut around the ball joint with a torch and hitting it with a sledgehammer. (a second attempt of the method NSR_s30 suggested) Accessing the control arm nut was difficult to clear the steering rack.

New strut inserts in. Now it's all got to go back together...