DIY: Actual Ball Joint Removal

[trentcdrums]

Thanks for sharing, what I did was I got a correct size ranch and wrapped it around the end of the arm and smack that a couple times with my three pound hammer. It let loose right after that

Originally Posted by Russianblue

FYI for anyone doing this job and battling the tension strut removal, one of the free tools at autozone (SKU is 27016) will do the job perfectly. It's a little tricky to get it in position but works very nicely even without removing anything else.

Here's the link. https://www.autozone.com/loan-a-tool...ype/555623_0_0

and a youtube video (short) I did years ago. I used this same tool a few weeks ago and this time I just cranked it good and snug and left it for 20 seconds, cranked it a little more. Once it was good and tight, eventually it gave way on both sides without having to continue torquing the ever-living hell out of it like in that youtube vid.

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[McBegby]

Just to chip in on this one. My X5 has covered 97k over 17 yrs and may or may not be on the original BJs. After almost 2 decades of UK winter road salting those BJs were so corroded in they were pretty much fused into the steering knuckle. If anyone is in a similar position, don’t bother with the graft of chiselling/prying etc, it will get you nowhere after 2 days of action. Instead whip off the steering knuckle and take the knuckle to a friendly garage to press out with a 30 tonne press. It’ll take virtually no effort and the garage I went to didn’t even charge which was very nice of them too.