whats a good ball joint splitter?

id like to purchase a cheapish ball joint splitter for use on vw's

anyone able to suggest a type or brand that does the job without breaking the bank

 

try halfords, laser line i think is the one a bought, i so wish i had it b4, really **** easy to use and came off in seconds

 

although more brutal i prefer to use the fork type seperator as opposed to the one that you tighten a bolt to pry it apart. the latter i find just slides off the track rod end bolt (if thats what your using it for), the fork one has never failed to shift a ball joint, and comes in handy for other tasks too, leverage on tight bolts etc.. halfords one is the one i got, about 7 i think.

 

i was told those types of splitters damage the rubber ball joint seals

 

hmm not that impressed with the lazer screw in type one tbh- its made from really soft steel and leaves indents in itself/bends if you have a stubborn ball joint! it wouldnt touch my ABF lower ball joints, and the fork type one had to be ground out on the inside of the forks as the casting was so bad, ended up angle grinding the end of the ball joint off and whacking it out with a BFH.

 

the screw in one needs to be modified by welding a little g clamp cup onto the bolt so it wont slip off, otherwise it is no good, the fork type seperator can damage the rubber boots, i only use that one if i want to replace the ball joint!

 

yeah i was hoping to get something that doesnt muller the rubbers

 

Sykes Pick one works well for me.... had it about 10 years.

https://www.plminishop.com/product-660550.html?PHPSESSID=eac42aa4fcee79b2bad53e8cf5f08d3a


There are a big range of them too...I've got the cheapest one!

http://www.shacktools.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=ball+joint+separator&x=0&y=0

 

I've mentioned the company so much it must look like I'm a major shareholder, but Mike hits the nail on the head:

 

Bump for an old thread... Will the Sykes BJ splitter do TREs without damage to the rubber boot?

 

https://www.plminishop.com/product-660550.html?PHPSESSID=eac42aa4fcee79b2bad53e8cf5f08d3a

used that style one with no probs

 

Result! Cheers guys - One less tool to find in the coming weeks prior to the suspension overhaul.

Is this the Draper number:
http://www.charliesdirect.co.uk/products/draper-ball-joint-splitter

 

Couple of taps where the TRE/Ball joint pin goes through the hub, job done!

Never used splitters other than older Vauxhall stuff where the strut has a daft tapered section which got flattened if you used the hammer

 

Do any of these manage not to split the rubber boots?

 

The scissor ones are good for steering arm ball joints. The bottom ball joint on a Mk1/2 golf needs the fork type. I've managed to bodge them out with a big lever when I haven't had a splitter with me. Always worried about bending the wishbone though.

 

Course they don't, if you fit them up properly, under the edge of the boot!

Sykes-Pickavant FTW!

 

The hammer has never failed me.

Couple of taps in the right place (stub axle) where the joint attaches & it'll pop right out. It may take a couple of whacks though.