Date:         Thu, 22 May 2003 00:08:53 EDT
Reply-To:     Wolfvan88@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Robert Lilley <Wolfvan88@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Upper Ball Joint Replacement
Comments: To: fonman4277@EARTHLINK.NET
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

I have tried the pickle fork method and do not really like banging to try to
get the parts out.  I could not get my upper ball joints out with my pickle
fork so I had to find another way.


What I have used instead and it is quite EASY to pop the joints out with:

Tie rod joint removal tool for upper ball joints and tie rod end joints.
For the lower ball joints I used a pitman arm tool.
I do not have the sizes in front of, but just looked at the tool and picked
out one that would fit over the joint.

I got mine at Autozone for @ $10 each.

I have pulled my joints apart now three times to change between springs:
Stock to H&R to Stock (rebuilt suspension parts) to Bus Depot Boge
performance springs.

Those tools made it a piece of cake each time.  I did not need to replace the
tie rod ends because they were still tight and in excellent condition.  If I
had used the pickle fork method, I would have damaged the parts replacing the
springs.


Robert