TCA ball Joint removal

[APS]

Hi guys, I need to remove the ball joints from the track control arms.

I took them to my local garage to ask if they would press them out and press new ones in and they winced and did not inspire any confidence with me. They did not like the lack of metal surrounding the ball joints. So I walked away.
Perhaps I need to find another garage or try and tackle this myself.

Has anyone used this type of ball joint press, its a C clamp with different size sockets to use. Seem to be a lot of them on ebay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/126067235919?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=cUwEHB-4Si6&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=5By6EjxAToe&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Tia Alan

[NeilR]

I used large sockets and a big vice (Record No 24) when I did mine & another pair for someone else.

[jbuckl]

It’s possible to cut the cap off, remove the spherical pin, assemble a hacksaw through the hole and gingerly cut through the remaining ring, which will relieve the fit… remove circlip & tap the ring out.

At one time new ball joints were too big to press back in… had to be resized.

Buy n.o.s. OEM Ball joints if you can find them.

Some ball joints had an 11month life …. Guess how you could tell? Spoiler:- you had to change them at every m.o.t. (!)

The above maybe quicker than finding a competent place.

Exchange track control arms are available via eBay afaiaa.

[DJT]

Suitable sized socket and a lump hammer works for me.

Bought my last ones from here, and they have lasted for several years:

http://www.ldpart.co.uk/shop/shop.php?c=viewproduct&pid=41&cat=6&sid=sidf8f01c24f98c951bdf4c6646c210781e

[ramjam2005]

I too was hoping to refurb mine myself as already purchased new ball joints and complete front/rear poly bush kits. Otherwise, same as you considering asking a local workshop to assist. Also been dabbling with the idea of purchasing a bench mounted 10 ton press for the job and other similar tasks.

Last time I had a failed ball joint, many moons back, I was fortunate to have a cousin working as a chief engineer at a large services company and handed over to him to press out etc.

[Goldstar]

Alan I’ve got one of those kits and I have used it recently but I can’t remember what it was on. I have 2 x TCA on the floor at the moment waiting to have the ball joints removed. I’ll try and do it tomorrow night and send a video of the success or otherwise.

[jbuckl]

Alan I’ve got one of those kits and I have used it recently but I can’t remember what it was on. I have 2 x TCA on the floor at the moment waiting to have the ball joints removed. I’ll try and do it tomorrow night and send a video of the success or otherwise.

the cutting method worked for me moons ago when I had few tools and no access to presses or collars …. Fairly quick too.

the exchange cost seems reasonable though.

[APS]

Thank you all for your inputs. I will give them a good few whacks with a big hammer tomorrow, might even try a bit of heat. If still no joy a drill and hacksaw. I do not think I have a big enough socket to use. If unsuccessful I may buy one of the C clamp press kits.

I was planning on using the CW power tune ball joints

https://www.chriswitor.com/proddetail.php?prod=133588A

I think the exchange costs for a rebuilt CW TCA is very reasonable, once you take into account the cost of ball joint, bush, painting etc. Though unfortunately Chris W does not expect to have any available until next year now

[RNF]

Put them in the freezer overnight. If someone happens to see them in your freezer, at least you can say they're new.
That will shrink the metals and allows you to press in the ball joints a little easier.

[richardthestag]

Cut off the shaft and use a big hammer

Block of wood with a suitable hole cut in it for tapping the new item in again.

Now I use a press, doesn't need a lot

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[APS]

Thanks for the tips guys.

Went at it with lots of brute force. Hammer alone was no good. Tried some heat, no good.
Tried drill but realised this was going to take a long time.
So got the angle grinder on it. Then the hammer and hey presto.
Used an old brake caliper piston as this seemed a good fit to bridge the ball joint.
Unlike Richard I had no beer to celebrate my success. Seeing how sun shining and it was after 12 I celebrated with a g&t

PXL_20231025_115343832.jpg PXL_20231025_121503154.jpg

[richardthestag]

[jbuckl]

Has a new ball joint been persuaded to fit yet?

[APS]

Has a new ball joint been persuaded to fit yet?

Not yet. I only ordered the new Powertune ball joints from CW yesterday along with some other parts, plus I first need to get the TCAs to be powder coated with the other suspension parts.

[ramjam2005]

Walking through the workshop today of the business unit where I'm employed part time and spotted this. Ideal for the job. Think I'll be asking a favour in the near future, with the offer of a few beers should do the trick !

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