ball joint removal

waynek · Post by **waynek** » Fri Jan 24, 2003 1:12 pm

Thanks to all for the response on my previous message.
On the ball joint replacement, has anyone ever had much sucess replacing them using a
ball joint fork tool? I'm wondering if I
should try this before doing the arm assembly
removal method.
Thoughts please...

BobMiller · Post by **BobMiller** » Fri Jan 24, 2003 3:43 pm

In a word...NO You can take them apart that way but you still have to remove the arms to have the new ones installed. And remember, the shop installing them needs a special tool to do it. Be sure you go to a shop that has done VW ball joints before.

waynek · Post by **waynek** » Fri Jan 24, 2003 5:01 pm

Thanks Bob,
Needed to know my options.

Brad · Post by **Brad** » Mon Jan 27, 2003 4:14 am

I just replaced mine after getting them of a guy from this forum and they took a great deal of effort. It took 42Tonne to get em out. We had to make up a special jig to hold the arm. Getting them in was easy at about 1.3 tonne.
If you can get them out with out a press you are doing very well.
If the shop hasn't done VW ball joints before, don't use them. If you have too use them make sure they are aware that a VW ball joint is directional and too line up the marks before pressing them back in. I have seen a few snap because shops have got them in off angle .