Ball Joint Separator Tool

[hyjaxe]

In need of a ball joint tool for front control arms, the ones I currently have are too short. Anyone here in Socal have one for rent?

[tofunin]

In need of a ball joint tool for front control arms, the ones I currently have are too short. Anyone here in Socal have one for rent?

Harbor freight one works well and then the trusty pickle fork and a mini sledge hammer.

[hyjaxe]

I do have this one from HF and is not tall enough. Only works well on tie rod/thrust arms. The BMW specific tool is substantially taller

[ovation1000]

For the inner ball joint on the control arm I use a pickle fork, you can rent it from Autozone.

[jasontaylor7]

None of the rentals at any stores, including autozone, advanced auto, and harbor freight, will work. Ask me how I know. And, IMO, the sledgehammer ideas are bad due to the complexity of the E39's suspension system.

I ordered an "Orion Motor Tech Ball Joint Separator, Universal Ball Joint Puller with Lower Control Arm Prying Tool Compatible with Ford Lincoln Mercury, 2-3/8 in. Lower Ball Joint Remo" from amazon as an alternative to dremeling down the stud. (Came so close, but I was wondering about the other side, and that the part is probably forged steel.) The cost was under $30 including the taxes and overnight shipping. For cases where you cannot wait, hit up your metal grinder/slicer/dremel.

Any ideas as to why stores don't carry units that fit? Is this some dealer incentive thing?

[Spyke]

The HF one works on everything I've used it on including the e36 which I maintained for well over 12 years. There's two holes for pivot points, are you using the correct one?