snapper Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 hi team I'm going to need a ball joint separator; am getting 'tooled up' to do my lower control arms on my not-at-all OS e46, in a few week's time. I recall reading that one of the OS brethren had sourced one from Supercheap and had it replaced a couple of times, and then got a refund. So ISTM the Stanley (IIRC) is to be avoided. I'm not going to be using it often, so it doesn't need to be Snap-On flash - but one that's not going to break, would be the go. this is the harbor freight BJ separator (sounds a bit rude) - only USD16.99 and it's forged too. but of course they don't freight to niu zild. Any suggestions? Preferably Wellington-based. cheers Snapper PS - not sure if this should go in General Chat, instead? Mods, please move to most appropriate area. cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share Posted June 16, 2012 anyone had any experience with the Repco RST157 http://tradecatalogues.repco.co.nz/Mega_Tools/3314/Ball_Joint_Seperator/300953? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yetchh Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 anyone had any experience with the Repco RST157 http://tradecatalogues.repco.co.nz/Mega_Tools/3314/Ball_Joint_Seperator/300953? thats the one i have, never let me down yet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shizzl Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 if you are breaking these then you are doing it wrong.. you dont need f all tension on them,give the arm a tap next to where the bj stud goes into the arm..itll release.. i do balljoints on quads and trucks just about every day and have never broken one of these we got ours from topmaq in chch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_b Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 i like the ones when you get to beat the shit out of it with the hammer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bling Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 The fork? DO NOT WANT!! All i've ever used to do this is a big hammer, haven't met one yet that could say no. That said, I was using girl hits until a mechanic friend showed me how to hit it properly Even with that repco tool, a big hammer does most of the work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Llama Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 I for the life of me could not get mine apart, even with it out of the car hitting it with a sledge hammer and dad putting pressure with a massive steel bar :\ The problem with separators is that they usually ruin the rubber right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted June 17, 2012 Author Share Posted June 17, 2012 thanks for the responses, guys. yes, the pickle fork will be deployed any time the ball joint separator is not doing it's thang (I have a 5lb lump hammer to 'persuade' it) - eg as a weapon combo of last choice. there are two ball joints on the bottom control arms, plus a captive bush on the e46... and these are aside from the ball joints on the tie-rod ends. and of course being german, it's got lots of alloy too. buy yours at http://www.fcpgroton.com best I have a chat with the repco gang next week, see how much rapeage of my wallet is expected. groan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bling Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Pretty sure I saw one today for ~$60 at Repco. If you have a welder (or know someone that does) you could easily make a tool to suit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borgweiser Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Always use the correct tool for the job, save your knuckles and vital components. Hammer trick works okay on cast arms etc, although I have seen some horror story hits given to drop arms etc and you never know what may crack out of sight, especially with cast. Not a fan of smashing steering components with hammers. Fork works okay, but again only if you are replacing the components. I have the Repco ball joint splitter, works great, leave the nut on at the end of the thread if you are reusing the joint and tighten just till there's tension on and then give it a good shock with a hammer- 'shock' been the operative word, don't smash everything in sight and use the biggest hammer you can find. Word Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Testament Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 dont buy the supercheap one that is for sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dell'orto Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 FBH will always do it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper Posted June 22, 2012 Author Share Posted June 22, 2012 no welder in my workshop, maybe that could be my fathers day pressie next year I'll get my ass into REPCO with their 25% off everthang this w/e. parts arrive Monday. go www.fcpgroton.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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