Ball joint tool

[motohunter4]

Is the HF one good enough for DIYer?

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[Vbb199]

Yes.

 

[Vbb199]

The tie rod seperator, ball joint press, and "tuning fork" all work just fine.

 

[78C10BigTen]

The tie rod seperator, ball joint press, and "tuning fork" all work just fine.

Pickle fork!! Get it right! Damn!

 

[AuroraGirl]

Pickle fork!! Get it right! Damn!

what kind of godless heathen says tuning fork?

its a pickle fork, like you say.

why is this not understood universally?

thats like calling a water fountain a bubbler

 

[78C10BigTen]

what kind of godless heathen says tuning fork?

its a pickle fork, like you say.

why is this not understood universally?

thats like calling a water fountain a bubbler

 

[Octane]

what kind of godless heathen says tuning fork?

its a pickle fork, like you say.

why is this not understood universally?

thats like calling a water fountain a bubbler

Maybe they use a pickle fork to tune the piano and tuning fork to tune up the suspension. Lol

 

[Doppleganger]

I got mine at Autozone....one of those free rentals I liked enough to keep (their steering wheel puller was nice too). IIRC $15? Was a few years ago so your mileage may vary.

 

[motohunter4]

What size pickle fork do I use? Thinking about getting air hammer attachment(s). I'm also doing the drag link ends.

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[Ricko1966]

What size pickle fork do I use? Thinking about getting air hammer attachment(s). I'm also doing the drag link ends.

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You must likely do not need one at all.Look for you tube videos or internet articles on separating the rod ends Ball joints etc without special tools.99 out of 100 I can pop with nothing but some pressure with a prybar and a good whack on the side of the spindle with a hammer. 99 out of 100 that you use a pickle fork on you will tear the boot and have to replace whatever even if it's good.Seriously I have an air hammer style 2 pickle fork and hammer style and a two jaw puller style and they see almost zero use.

 

[AuroraGirl]

I got mine at Autozone....one of those free rentals I liked enough to keep (their steering wheel puller was nice too). IIRC $15? Was a few years ago so your mileage may vary.

can confirm. OEMtools (the brand i got from them) is an ice steering wheel puller

 

[AuroraGirl]

You must likely do not need one at all.Look for you tube videos or internet articles on separating the rod ends Ball joints etc without special tools.99 out of 100 I can pop with nothing but some pressure with a prybar and a good whack on the side of the spindle with a hammer. 99 out of 100 that you use a pickle fork on you will tear the boot and have to replace whatever even if it's good.Seriously I have an air hammer style 2 pickle fork and hammer style and a two jaw puller style and they see almost zero use.

not if you have my luck, ive broken a pickle fork separating a tie rod.

Ive also blew up a tie rod with a pickle fork. Like, the bearing thingy broke open before it would separate from the knuckle..

Tie rods are jack asses up north.

Pro tip, sacrificial layer between tie rod and knuckle + brass cotter pins. thank me later.


story time:
A tie rod i installed last april that i removed in july had to be replaced (shop error, not failure of part) and during my attempt to replace it, I needed to use a tie rod separator because it wouldnt budge. I didnt need to save it, so I just put the castle nut on, put a jack under it, lowered the car off jacks slowly and put tension on it, then hit the top with a hammer. But if i was keeping it, i would use a tool made for that.

 

[motohunter4]

I want to try doing the air hammer method, just wanted to know if the HF attachment was big enough. These tie rod are massive compared to my BMW'S. I think the attachment 11/32 fork? They have a lot of sizes on Ebay. I do have a beat up pickle fork I have used to rebuild 4 or 5 suspensions on various MB, BMW, and a 2008 Z71 I have owned over the years. I almost quit GM over that 2008, told myself I would only get a pre-Vortec classic V8 with sheetmetal thicker than aluminum foil.

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[75gmck25]

The tool rental is free at Autozone and Advanced Auto, and that's what I've used for ball joints, tie rods, etc. The tools are sturdy and work well, but just make sure they have all the pieces and parts in the kit when you rent it.

Bruce

 

[Frankenchevy]

Ball joint separator almost always tears the boot for me, but if I’m separating I’m replacing anyhow. They’re pretty inexpensive.