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Taking apart front end - seperating TCA ball joint from strut leg???

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the_cheese
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2013/02/05 01:20:21 (permalink)
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Taking apart front end - seperating TCA ball joint from strut leg???

Hi guys,
 
Im taking apart my front end again after discovering my strut tops are cactus too (yes, only item I didnt replace).
 
Last time I needed to seperate the end of the TCA from the strut leg I used a 2m long length of circular steel tubing wedge between the chassis rail to force the TCA downwards and out of the strut leg joint.
 
This time Im not gettin any luck with the old leverage trick... They are firmly in there!
 
Anyone got any tips on getting them out??? I've already removed tie end rods from the steering arms and ive also removed the sway bar!
 
Short of taking taking the TCA out of the chassis, what can I do? My leverage efforts almost lifted my car off the stands! 
 
Cheers
 
Nick
post edited by the_cheese - 2013/02/05 01:39:20
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9 Replies Related Threads
    Simon
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    Re:Taking apart front end - seperating TCA ball joint from strut leg??? 2013/02/05 01:38:33 (permalink)
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    Go grab yourself a ball joint splitter. Most autoparts stores will stock them for as little as $25-$30. Well worth it.
     


    Buzzbox Motorsport
    #2
    Smcka
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    Re:Taking apart front end - seperating TCA ball joint from strut leg??? 2013/02/05 12:56:14 (permalink)
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    Most ball joint splitters are too big for the Escort struts.
     
    Get a big steel mallet and hit the strut around the balljoint boss HARD a few times. Keep the nut on the balljoint in case of misses. A few whacks later it should come free.


     
    #3

    the_cheese
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    Re:Taking apart front end - seperating TCA ball joint from strut leg??? 2013/02/05 13:06:22 (permalink)
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    Thanks for the speedy replies!

    Ill borrow a mallet this afternoon and give it a crack - or whack rather :)

    Failing that, the guys who swear by ball joint splitters, which brand units have fitted the escort TCA joints/which shop did u buy them from?
    #4
    Matt75
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    Re:Taking apart front end - seperating TCA ball joint from strut leg??? 2013/02/05 15:46:03 (permalink)
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    Hi Mate,
     
    Are you looking to keep the TCA's?  If so just unbolt it from the chasis and leave it on the strut.
     
    Cheers
     
    Matt
     
    P.S. I used the one in the pic above and it worked a treat. 

     
    My 4 door MK II Resto
    http://www.classic-ford.org/cfp/tm.aspx?m=37623

    RS Owners Club Victoria Committee Member - http://rsocvic.com/
     
     
    #5
    gmgeeman
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    Re:Taking apart front end - seperating TCA ball joint from strut leg??? 2013/02/05 17:27:44 (permalink)
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    Just needs a good swift blow with a FB hammer in the right spot, never fails . Have been doing it for over 40 years. (mechanic for the last 46 years and don't have a splitter in my tool box. Don't need one.)
    #6

    the_cheese
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    Re:Taking apart front end - seperating TCA ball joint from strut leg??? 2013/02/06 00:33:21 (permalink)
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    hey guys.
     
    wow a lot of helping hands on this one. Got my hands on a mallet today. Gave it a few whacks to no avail. Just deforming the ball joint boss at the bottom the the strut really.
     
    I needed to abandon the shed for the other things in life so I will give it another whack tomorrow and failing that ill take the struts out with TCAs attached. I wanted to avoid doing so because I can remember the effort required to get the TCAs with their bushes fitted into the chassis. With the entire strut attached Im thinking the job wont be any easier.
     
    Thanks to everyone again for all your help. It is amazing how much assistance forum members lend within the space of 24 hours!
     
    Cheers
     
    Nick
    #7
    spigot
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    Re:Taking apart front end - seperating TCA ball joint from strut leg??? 2013/02/06 09:08:06 (permalink)
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    I used to have a splitter many years ago. I threw it in the bin. The ball joint is a taper fit into the knuckle. If you whack the knuckle hard enough it will release the ball joint. Sometimes a drift is also handy.
    #8
    Matt75
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    Re:Taking apart front end - seperating TCA ball joint from strut leg??? 2013/02/06 11:40:17 (permalink)
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    I used one of these - http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Stanley-Ball-Joint-Tie-Rod-Separator.aspx?pid=12568#Cross
     
    Took 2 minutes.
     
    Matt

     
    My 4 door MK II Resto
    http://www.classic-ford.org/cfp/tm.aspx?m=37623

    RS Owners Club Victoria Committee Member - http://rsocvic.com/
     
     
    #9
    Noono
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    Re:Taking apart front end - seperating TCA ball joint from strut leg??? 2013/02/06 17:15:54 (permalink)
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    I use an M8 hex hd setsrew & a hex nut with 2 spanners as a jack.  Cut setscrew to only 10mm long (in my case).
    Unscrew ball joint nut until flush with top of thread, to protect thread. Place some 6mm steel plate under bottom of
    strut, to protect strut tube. Costs nothing.
     
    Cheers
    #10
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