Front End Rebuild: Lower Ball Joint

[equillibrium88]

I'm in the process of rebuilding the front end of my Phazer. Changing out the ball joints, bushings, and outer steering joints. How are you suppose to get the lower Ball joint out of the A-arm? I already removed the Circlip, but the thing is rusted in there. There doesn't seem to be any gripping space from the opposite side to press them out, so how do you get them out? I was going to bring it to the dealer, but since I've already got the front suspension off albeit thanks to some great instruction from Cannondale; I may as well try myself if I can. Also, not sure how long the ball joints are suppose to last. It's an 07' and there's only 3800 km on it. I just figured after 7 years of abuse I may as well replace the stuff.

 

[cannondale27]

Did the ball pop out? If not just find a socket that just fits in top hole and give it a few whacks.

 

[equillibrium88]

No the ball is still in there. I tried placing a socket about the size of the ball over top and pounding the crap out of it, but I may need a bigger hammer. There is no where on the top portion of the A-arm to put pressure on the outer race. I am assuming then that it (the A-arm) is a cup and the ball joint presses into it and is held in via circlip. If all else fails I'll try some heat. Any other advice??

 

[Ruggybuggy]

Soak it in penetrating fluid for a day then use a heat guy to warm up the arm. I would use the 20 ton press at work to push it out or beat on it but be careful not to damage the control arm.

 

[equillibrium88]

Here's what they look like:

 

[Ruggybuggy]

I would use this.

 

[canoehead]

I would use this.

There's an atta boy if I ever saw one.

 

[equillibrium88]

Where do I get that and how much is it?

 

[canoehead]

My local stealer lent me one of their bearing tools. Not a whole lot to it and it didn't take long.

 

[Mooseman]

Princess Auto has them.
http://www.princessauto.com/pal/en/Stee ... /8354714.p

Problem is, the ball will probably push out of the race before the rust lets go. If that happens, you might have to resort to a punch and a BFH or an air hammer. That's what happened to me and yours looks worse.

 

[Ruggybuggy]

If you can get a sleeve or socket that will come right to the outer edges so your pushing on the outer race it should come out.

 

[canoehead]

I would think a couple of the right size sockets and a good C-clamp would do the job. One socket that just fits the outer race and one that's bigger. From the looks of that ball joint I would also spray it with some good monkey piss.

 

[equillibrium88]

RuggyBuggy, I cannot push on the outer race. From the back side the material of the A-arm tapers around the ball. I think this a job for the dealer since I don't want to bust the ball out of the joint. Yamaha sure wasn't thinking about removal when they designed these things.

 

[yamahas]

I actually used the adapter for a water pump on the top side to push on the race similar to THIS and used a press to push the race out.

 

[Ruggybuggy]

RuggyBuggy, I cannot push on the outer race. From the back side the material of the A-arm tapers around the ball. I think this a job for the dealer since I don't want to bust the ball out of the joint. Yamaha sure wasn't thinking about removal when they designed these things.

I see that now. Warm the arm up and push or beat on the ball end to remove. There looks to be a little bit of lip. Get the tightest socket that you can find and press it out, it should come. Another trick is if you had a mig welder, weld the ball to the outer race on the backside. This would ensure the ball doesn't press threw. A shop press would work best followed by the ball joint service tool and lastly beating the F out of it until it comes out. If your going to beat on it drill a hole bigger in diameter then the ball joint in a 4X4 or larger piece of wood. Place the arm on the wood so the BJ lines up with the hole then beat it out. This will protect the arm from damage.