Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[WP6980]

It is again time to remove the steering drag link on my Austin 7 and separating the ball joints.

Using a modern ball joint separator is difficult as these are too big, I have used a small clamp on type, which must have been successful as I have managed to pull the joint apart!

But it is always an effort on something that should be quite easy, the joints are only small!

My question is "has anyone found a narrow jawed ball joint separator that would do the job?"

I have never belted the taper with a hammer as is often suggested, I am sure I would do more harm than good, in any event, I do not have the space to swing a hammer!

I will probably have to resort to getting a blacksmith to make a narrow jaw taper splitter, but would be interested to know what others use, or if there is a tool I can buy - much internet search has not found anything suitable for a small size (other than what I have already which is a tad too big).
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Gary Edwards

[MikeEdwards]

These days I tend to use the hammer method - hold one hammer to one side of the joint, and a couple of quick belts on the opposite side is usually enough to push the taper out. It does come at the cost of removing paint, though, which is annoying if, like me, you care about the appearance of the area.

I know there are pullers available in all sorts of sizes, down to those that are used to pull stubborn windscreen wipers off their splines, I wonder if something like that might be able to do the job for you.
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1976 Vauxhall HP Firenza, 1976 Vauxhall Sportshatch (x2), 1986 Audi coupe quattro, 2000 Audi TT

[ukdave2002]

I have a Sykes Pickavant ball joint splitter, bought in the 80's when I first had Minis, its smaller than the splitters supplied today, I have never worked on an A7, however the splitter fits nicely on Morris 8 TRE's & link joints.

Dave

[Rick]

Years ago dad had two wedges made, you'd put one either side of the joint and tap both sides, always seemed to work very well.

RJ
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