• The Roadster Factory Recovery Fund - Friends, as you may have heard, The Roadster Factory, a respected British Car Parts business in PA, suffered a total loss in a fire on Christmas Day. Read about it, discuss or ask questions >> HERE. The Triumph Register of America is sponsoring a fund raiser to help TRF get back on their feet. If you can help, vist >> their GoFundMe page.
  • Hey there Guest!
    If you enjoy BCF and find our forum a useful resource, if you appreciate not having ads pop up all over the place and you want to ensure we can stay online - Please consider supporting with an "optional" low-cost annual subscription.
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this UGLY banner)
Tips
Tips

TR4/4A TR4A upper Ball Joint Removal

MichaelG

Senior Member
Offline
Hi Folks,

My fromt suspension is dissasembledanf the only items attached to the vertical link are the upper ball joint and stub axle.

The space between the link and the ball joint bodly is to large forthe classic ball joint "fork" I have to work.

Tried the tool I purchased...link below , but Im concerned that this will strip/break long before the joint separates

https://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/TA-61900.html

Also, Tried a few well place blows with the brass end of the Thor hammer from the logical directions with the link in a vice or my trusty old black & decker workmate.

So what's next? Would a pro use a press, which I don't have....or some other tool...BTW, I tried the ball joint/pitman arm tool from Autozone tool rental program , but the jaws of the tool are to wide.

Any thoughts before I bother my friendly mechanic or machine shop?

Thanks,

MG
 

TR3driver

Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
Offline
Use the tool that fits. Put some quality gear oil on the threads, and drive it on as far as it will go (so it has more leverage). Torque the bolt down until you think it's about ready to strip, then hit the jaw a whack with a BFH (steel, not brass). Should pop right off.

An alternate method requires two BFH. Place one on the side of the link where the taper is, then hit the other side with the other BFH. The idea is to distort the taper enough to pop it apart. It actually works without damaging anything, but it takes a great whack, accurately placed.
 

KVH

Darth Vader
Silver
Country flag
Offline
My tool looks much like yours. It came nowhere close to stripping. It was a dream. I'd strongly advise against hammers and pitch forks. I brutalized my front end the first go-around, and can't stoop to do that again.

Your tool, assuming it's substantially what mine is (I bought it for $79 from a mechanics tool shop), popped those ball joints smooth and fast. No stress to the steering lever, vertical link, hub assembly, etc.

Good luck.
 

martx-5

Yoda
Country flag
Offline
TR3driver said:
An alternate method requires two BFH. Place one on the side of the link where the taper is, then hit the other side with the other BFH. The idea is to distort the taper enough to pop it apart. It actually works without damaging anything, but it takes a great whack, accurately placed.

I've been using this method for forty years on all tapered joint fittings. Everytime I've used it the joint has seperated with no damage to any parts. Besides, you always have a couple of hammers laying around.
 
R

RonMacPherson

Guest
Guest
Offline
Okay, that design tool is the basic tie rod end remover. Might not be large enough to handle the load of the balljoint.

An other idea to help. Get yourself a can of computer air. Turn it upside down and empty it on the spindle where the balljoint is. Then whack with a hammer.
 

KVH

Darth Vader
Silver
Country flag
Offline
Here are the tie rod and ball joint tools I've found handy:

925IMG_0751-med.JPG
 

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
Ron MacP said:
An other idea to help. Get yourself a can of computer air. Turn it upside down and empty it on the spindle where the balljoint is. Then whack with a hammer.

That makes me wanna go all "George Carlin" on ya'll: "*bleep* th *bleep*ing ozone layer! Get th' BFH an' a can of *bleep*ing refrigerant! FIX your *bleep*ing personal problem!"

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/devilgrin.gif

<seriously> If you can get the tool in the space and apply a good amount of steady 'push' on it then SHOCK it with the hammer, the taper ~should~ come free. Only thing to be aware of is to be sure all force is lined up. I.E. linear pre-load with the tool and linear force with the hammer blow. All on the axis of the taper.</seriously>
 
T

Tinster

Guest
Guest
Offline
Dr:

I have new ball joints for Crypty arriving any day now
as part of the replace DPO Pedro's front suspension project.

Are these ball joints going to be yet ANOTHER nightmare
for me? I'm so auto mechanically stupid, I did not
realize a special ball joint tool was required. Where
do I purchase one? Western Auto or Sears?

The coil springs needing a special tool was a no brainer,
even for me. Any other special tools I need to purchase for
the front suspension project?

thanks,

dale
 

DrEntropy

Great Pumpkin
Platinum
Country flag
Offline
Randall pretty much covered it, Dale. Stress the threaded end as much as possible, then a shock delivered to the thing ~should~ see it release with a "SNAP!".


It's ALL a nightmare. Learning to not let it bother you and press on is the real lesson. Kinda like living. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif
 

YankeeTR

Luke Skywalker
Offline
I vote for the time-tested pickle fork...this is what I've been using since the 60's and this device has never let me down...
 
Similar threads
Thread starter Title Forum Replies Date
KVH TR4/4A TR4A Upper Wishbone Bushings Triumph 1
Scotsman TR4/4A Moss seat covers for TR4A missing spring tensioner pocket Triumph 0
trbby2 TR4/4A TR4A Intermittent rear wheel locking? Triumph 19
G Wanted Tr4a boot lid Triumph Classifieds 2
J TR4/4A TR4A automatic transmission conversion Triumph 6
D TR4/4A TR4a Fuel Pump Triumph 10
KVH TR4/4A Routing of TR4A Fuel Line Triumph 7
glemon TR5/TR250 Answering My Own Question Rear Tube Shock Conversion Numbers TR4a-TR6 Triumph 0
M Wanted Dampener Tr4a crank pulley Triumph Classifieds 9
T Wanted TR4A hardtop Triumph Classifieds 2
KVH General Tech Improvement to TR4A Muffler Triumph 1
KVH General Tech TR4A Brake Bleeding Triumph 5
KVH General Tech Reinstalling TR4A Interior Triumph 13
KVH General Tech Yes, the Horns Again--Electrical TR4A Triumph 8
Popeye For Sale Original TR4A windshield - with crack Triumph Classifieds 1
KVH General Tech New Clutch Installation--TR4A Triumph 5
RJS TR4/4A TR4A Temp Gauge Scale Triumph 6
Popeye Wanted WTB: two speed wiper motor TR4A / 75568 - Found Triumph Classifieds 2
2 Wanted Wanted - TR4A parts engine Triumph Classifieds 2
Popeye TR4/4A Latest thoughts on TR4A front springs? Triumph 8
DocDup1 TR4/4A TR4A Wiper Moror Rebuild Service Triumph 5
Ericstammer TR4/4A TR4A body on TR4 frame Triumph 0
Popeye TR4/4A TR4A Assembly by a rookie (me!) Triumph 149
Popeye TR4/4A TR4A rear tub repairs (likely accident damage in front of rear wheels) Triumph 6
Sarastro TR4/4A Another 50K TR4A Triumph 5
DocDup1 Wanted TR4A Accelerator Linkage Lever Triumph Classifieds 0
J TR4/4A TR4A seat retaining clip Triumph 5
Carlos Trade Free for the cost of shipping TR4A radiator Triumph Classifieds 2
C TR4/4A Advice for grafting TR6 frame front to TR4A frame rear Triumph 15
fpstude TR4/4A Replacing Rear Flexible Brake Hoses on TR4A w/ IRS Triumph 11
RJS TR4/4A TR4A Seat Upholstery - Piping Question Triumph 7
H TR4/4A 67 tr4a runs rough and losses power when hot but not over normal temp Triumph 14
RJS General TR TR4A Seat Rebuild Triumph 12
B 1966 TR4A two speed wiper motor Triumph Classifieds 1
T TR4/4A Recommendation on top for a late TR4A Triumph 8
S TR4/4A Build Date Triumph TR4A IRS Triumph 3
R For Sale Tr4a parts Triumph Classifieds 2
Sarastro TR4/4A TR4A top's rear attachment Triumph 2
H Wanted Looking for TR4A intake # 307455 Triumph Classifieds 3
fpstude TR4/4A Steering U-Joint Question for TR4A Triumph 5
S For Sale Triumph TR4 and TR4A Factory Workshop Manual on CD/ROM - 1962 - 1968 Models Triumph Classifieds 0
G TR4/4A Vin # for TR4A Triumph 3
M TR4/4A Seats for TR4A Triumph 3
B TR4/4A TR3 valve cover on TR4A Triumph 4
T For Sale TR4A Grille Triumph Classifieds 0
K For Sale TR4A Intake Manifold..Put one on your TR3...improves air intake....cheap like borsht. Triumph Classifieds 2
K For Sale TR4A Grille with Embedded Fog Lights Triumph Classifieds 0
K TR2/3/3A TR4A 16P Girling Calipers Adapted to TR3. Hose/tubing routing? Triumph 15
D Wanted TR4A Live axle frame Triumph Classifieds 0
D TR4/4A Tackling the biggest problem with my TR4A.... Frame Damage :[ Triumph 70

Similar threads

Top