Miata Mailing List: March 1994, Message #120
sponsored by



     


   From: jgoeke@unix11.eldec.com
Subject: Ball joints trick
   Date: Wed, 9 Mar 1994 15:24:39 -0500

Just read the tread on putting in new shocks on a miata.  I've done this twice
now and and was completely stumped the first time on how to disconnect the ball
joint from the steering knuckle (or what ever it's called).  A standard gear
puller would not work, so I finally called a mechanic friend and he gave me the
trick way instructions

With the nut and cotter pin removed, take a pry bar of some sort, and pretend to
pry the ball joint away from the housing.  Not a lot of pressure, just enough to allow for movement when the joint is freed.  With this slight presure applied,
take a hammer at rap the side of the housing where the ball joint bolt is
inserted.  Rap it a few times and the joint should pop out under from the pry
bar force.  What happens is the rapping sends vibrations which will temporarillyseperate the to suffaces for a millisecond or so, which will allow the pry bar
force to move and seperate the to.  Works like a charm :-)   ---JCG.