Preferred Ball Joint Removal Tool - Front Upper Suspension Arms

[xiaphin]

Looking to buy a good ball joint removal tool that works well with the front suspension of our cars. Specifically for removing the upper control arms from the front knuckle assembly. I rented a few from AutoZone but wasn't happy with how it cupped the underside of the joint, when applying pressure it would slip out or be at an angle. Those of you that have removed these when installing your suspension, what style and brand are you guys using? Tried to buy the one in the FSM but neither Hyundai or Kia are allowed to sell their tools to the public, something I had not heard of before. Attached is a picture from the FSM of the component and image of factory tool. Thanks in advance.

 

[homeofstone]

You have bad ball joints?? How many miles? What type of driving?

 

[Rich_R-SPEC]

Looking to buy a good ball joint removal tool that works well with the front suspension of our cars. Specifically for removing the upper control arms from the front knuckle assembly. I rented a few from AutoZone but wasn't happy with how it cupped the underside of the joint, when applying pressure it would slip out or be at an angle. Those of you that have removed these when installing your suspension, what style and brand are you guys using? Tried to buy the one in the FSM but neither Hyundai or Kia are allowed to sell their tools to the public, something I had not heard of before. Attached is a picture from the FSM of the component and image of factory tool. Thanks in advance.

Try this tool looks close.

http://shop.ktcautotools.com/collec...all-joint-separator-tool-19mm-benz-vw-bmw-etc

 

[NJTom]

I'm confused. Is that tool needed to change from a 2009 to a 2012 front suspension?

 

[scottdk]

I'm confused. Is that tool needed to change from a 2009 to a 2012 front suspension?

No. The only tool needed for changing out the front struts and springs is a spring compressor.

This thread is unrelated.

Scott

 

[xiaphin]

Try this tool looks close.

http://shop.ktcautotools.com/collec...all-joint-separator-tool-19mm-benz-vw-bmw-etc

Thanks that looks like it will work. And for $20 if it doesn't, no big deal.

No. The only tool needed for changing out the front struts and springs is a spring compressor.

This thread is unrelated.

Scott

I had to remove them to install my air suspension. You cannot access the three nuts from the top cutout in order to remove the stock strut assembly. Assumed coilovers are the same way but have not installed any on our cars. The adjustment design is not that great since you cannot adjust the dampening while installed on the car. You can see why the ball joints have to be separated from the rest of the assembly in the last two pictures

 

[scottdk]

I was able to remove the front struts without issue without a special tool. The IIRC, I accessed the nuts on top of the strut mount through the side when the car was on jack stands. This allowed enough room to get a wrench in there, since there isn't enough room to access from the top. I can post a pic if it helps.

 

[xiaphin]

I was able to remove the front struts without issue without a special tool. The IIRC, I accessed the nuts on top of the strut mount through the side when the car was on jack stands. This allowed enough room to get a wrench in there, since there isn't enough room to access from the top. I can post a pic if it helps.

If you don't mind sending a picture of where you accessed these that would be great. Not sure I quite understand what you mean by through the side. Did notice a hole up top but there wasn't three of them that I could see. Sounds like I might have overlooked something...

You have the ball joints removed from the front knuckle in this picture

 

[scottdk]

You're right. I do have the ball joint removed in that pic. I didn't use any special tools though, but I'd have to look at it in person to remember how I removed the ball joint. I'll ask my friend who did my suspension project with me if he can remember how we removed the ball joint.

As for the strut nuts, I can't seem to find a good pic of what I'm referring to and my car is in storage for the winter, so I don't have easy access to it to take a pic.

I do remember that we accessed the strut nuts from inside the wheel wells (I think!). There was an opening for strut access, so this worked like a charm.

 

[Glassman]

Each time I swapped the front suspension I just used a mallet per the advice of the resident mechanics at my company.

Loosen the nut so that the bottom of it sits flush with the end of the stud so you don't cause any damage to the threads of either piece. Then hit the mallet a couple of times on the metal housing that the ball joints sit in to shock them loose from the set positions then a couple of hits from the bottom to pop it straight up should work.

It took me a bit to get it right but the mechanic that showed me got it done in one shot.

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[xiaphin]

Each time I swapped the front suspension I just used a mallet per the advice of the resident mechanics at my company.

Loosen the nut so that the bottom of it sits flush with the end of the stud so you don't cause any damage to the threads of either piece. Then hit the mallet a couple of times on the metal housing that the ball joints sit in to shock them loose from the set positions then a couple of hits from the bottom to pop it straight up should work.

It took me a bit to get it right but the mechanic that showed me got it done in one shot.

I had to tap them with a rubber mallet in addition to using the removal tool I rented. Do you know what access point inside the wheel well scottdk is referring to? Starting to feel like I overlooked something obvious...

 

[scottdk]

I had to tap them with a rubber mallet in addition to using the removal tool I rented. Do you know what access point inside the wheel well scottdk is referring to? Starting to feel like I overlooked something obvious...

Have you tried a swival socket? It feels like so long ago that I can't remember the details!

 

[xiaphin]

Have you tried a swival socket? It feels like so long ago that I can't remember the details!

No I haven't tried that but will take a look next time the car is in the air.

Ended up buying this removal tool, OTC 7315A Universal Tie Rod End Remover, off Amazon for $35 but have not gotten a chance to try it out yet either.