Top and bottom ball joint boots have splits in them and given that the vehicle is now 16 years old with 280,000km it's time to replace them. I've stripped it all down now (wheel, brakes, CV shaft off, etc) and just have the knuckle attached to the diff through the ball joints.


What's the hot tips for separating the steering knuckle (i.e. breaking the ball joints tapered/rust bond)?
I'm always weary of the BFH method.
I've tried an air hammer with a ball joint separating fork and a manual one and can't get in very far before the tip of the fork fouls somewhere on the knuckle.
Special separator tool (yes, I know there is a genuine Land Rover one, but is there a more accessible alternative?)? The one I have here for ball joints/tie rod ends seems to be a bit too small.
My pullers, including a decent hydraulic one, just don't seem to able to fit on properly on the bottom ball joint and the top is inaccessible to them.

 

Can you just use a vice or a press like with most universal joints? I've never had that joint apart, but I'd be willing to bet yes.

 

You have soaked it in penetrating fluid? Applied heat?
Oddly enough the BFH has only worked for me on one vehicle, our D2

 

Jeez, ignore my post. I'd just woken up. For some reason I thought you were talking about the u joints in the steering shaft.

If you're doing ball joints, bfh is the way.

 

First, you can buy these tools online or just go to Advance Auto Parts or Autozone and RENT THEM!

To remove the Ball Joints use a "C" style press.... it's your best friend.
> https://www.harborfreight.com/ball-j...les-63279.html

If you don't want to use a BAH or a proper sized pickle fork to remove the Tie Rod Ends, then either of these will work like a champ.
> https://www.tooltopia.com/otc-tools-7315a.aspx

> https://www.bavauto.com/bmw-ball-joi...SABEgKp2_D_BwE

 

 

Thanks all for the advise and guidance. Managed to break the taper by swinging a 4.5kg sledge hammer to hit two 4lb mallets that were held on either side of the taper by a second person like anvils. Took a few swings but all four eventually gave in.