Seized Joint

[Jack Pritchard]

I'm changing the front lower ball joint as the actual ball ripped away from the arm, luckily when on my driveway.

I undid the nut at the bottom of this ball joint expecting to be able to just tap the bottom thread with a hammer and out it would pop, ready to fit the new one, but no. The bloody thing is seized solid. I've been bashing for about an hour and used up half a can of WD40.

Any ideas?

Piccy attached.

[Brechin Slate]

A ball joint splitter should do it. The hammer type are the cheapest, failing that, try a bit of heat. WD40 has a lot of good uses but it's not that a good as a pen oil, especially on badly seized components.

Depending on where you are in Hampshire, I'd be happy to lend you my splitter. I'm between Highcliffe and Lymington.

[Jack Pritchard]

Thanks for that :)

[steve2006]

They are very tight, I broke the type with the threaded bolt on my LS so bought a fork type hammer in one, this needed modifying slightly with an angle grinder but 3 hits with a lump hammer did the job.

With the top section having popped out it may take a little more effort as you will have the rubber bushings on the lower arm absorbing the shock.

[Jack Pritchard]

Good idea. Thanks.

[C Mclean]

Use two hammers, one held against the lower arm tapered part and then whack the opposite side with the other hammer.