Rear ball joint tip: freeze it.

[m735is]

I did my drivers side last year, PITA getting it in even with a joint press. My passenger side was toast, so I put it in the freezer over night (just like when I replace subframe bushings). I was lining it up to make sure it started straight and tapped the driver cup to start the bushing- to my surprise it went all of the way in with semi light tapping- no press needed.

[Ed CT]

Good tip. Next time I do my rear ball joints, I'll also have to try putting a cylinder of dry ice inside of the ball joint ID.

[sienayr]

Good tip. Next time I do my rear ball joints, I'll also have to try putting a cylinder of dry ice inside of the ball joint ID.

Wouldn't you want the ID to expand? You'd want to heat up the ID and use a frozen ball joint I think.

[geargrinder]

Wouldn't you want the ID to expand? You'd want to heat up the ID and use a frozen ball joint I think.

That's what I would think too!

[Ed CT]

Wouldn't you want the ID to expand? You'd want to heat up the ID and use a frozen ball joint I think.

Yes, the ball joint ID. IIRC, the BJ ID has the Integral Link go thru it. The OD of the BJ presses thru the ID of the [knuckle, or whatever that part is]. So, by freezing the BJ ID, it would hopefully shrink the BJ OD and make it easier to remove the BJ from the knuckle.