Track Control Arm Removal HELP!!!!

Hi, OK Ive undone the bottom ball joint bolt, removed hub from suspension and undone the bolt for the track control arm…but the darn thing just wont come free and i am using a ball joint splittier but no joy … ANY IDEAS??? also wondering is the boot on the tca is required to be in one piece for the mot as it has a little split…any ideas or help would be most appreciated

thanks

What kind of ball joint splitter are you using? The wedge fork style one, or the more sophisticated type? I've removed plenty of track rods, the better type is much more preforable as it won't damage the rubber and can apply much more force.

I think (not sure) that a split rubber here is an advisory, not a fail.

Yeh you want the one with a large bolt which you turn with a spanner and it pivots and pushes out the track rod from the hub  :wink:

Cheers paul, my joint splitter is a normal fork one. where can i get the one your talking about? ill have another go tomorow as i need to do both wheel bearings for the MOT.

 and about the boot, i was thinking it would be an advisory thank god as ive got enough to be doing already. N1 buddy

leggyvw said

Cheers paul, my joint splitter is a normal fork one. where can i get the one your talking about? ill have another go tomorow as i need to do both wheel bearings for the MOT.

 and about the boot, i was thinking it would be an advisory thank god as ive got enough to be doing already. N1 buddy

I bought mine from my FLAPS (friendly local auto parts store) for around ?20. Its paid for itself now, with the number of times I've used it. When you use it, just keep your fingers and hands clear of the thing, when it comes off, it comes off with a bang!

I got mine from Halfords, its a laser tools splitter with the bolt you turn. Around ?5 iirc.

Might be an idea to buy a blow torch when your there as well, sometimes its helped me to get a bit of heat on it to split it and get off trackrod ends etc.

I've removed a fair few trackrod ends before and have always got away without using a splitter. If you wack the end stub axel carrier in right place with a hammer you can shock it apart. Its never failed for me, you just need the right angle.

One of these, comes off in seconds bud, try your local car shop, around ?10 depends where you buy from bud, comes in handy for future replacments

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MINI-BALL-JOINT-SPLITTER-SCISSOR-TYPE-NEW_W0QQitemZ190004828093QQihZ009QQcategoryZ32072QQssPageNameZWD2VQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

thanks for the help here peps. when back out there today, and i managed to find a scissor style splitter in my garage!! amazing what you find when you go looking, must me something of my old mans anyway, it was the drivers side that was stuck, and when it popped it scared me right out. never seen anything like it. And after a day and a half to get off on hub, I went round the other side, and the whole thing was off in 10 minutes. Im thinking of replacing the 4 wishbone bushes While its all off..

 Might right up a how to guide for removing front wheel bearings once ive done them. 8)

I did warn you.....

lol yeh ive done them before but its never quite gone bang the way it did, made sure i hand my hands well clear.

how much are poly bushes then?

good work, I've always used the scissor type… it's the moment just before you know it's going to pop.. slowly edge away bracing yourself then *BANG*

  always gets me

Ross said

I've removed a fair few trackrod ends before and have always got away without using a splitter. If you wack the end stub axel carrier in right place with a hammer you can shock it apart. Its never failed for me, you just need the right angle.

Good hard wallop has been my method for years!  ops:

Personally think a ball joint splitter is only for people with crap hammers!    :wink: