hi

I am having a VERY hard time pulling out the steering joint from that clamp. I even tried hammering a proper chisel into that clamp opening to lose it more and lubricated with WD40 too. But that damn joint stub won't budge! What am I doing wrong? Is it a special tool needed that Haynes forgot to mention?

Edited 4 June, 201115 yr by masster

I usually just hammer a ball-joint splitter (The fork type) between the bottom of the hub carrier and the top of the ball joint. Have you removed (if it's fitted) the anti-roll bar link?)

It'll probably be rusty, and as James says, often the cocktail-fork type splitter is the only way to go. You -have- removed the bolt completely, right? I've seen people not do that before.... Of course if you've used one of those then you'll need to replace the rubber boot. I've also found that you can lever the wishbone down easily using the hole in it, and sometimes that works as well - certainly on the rally car as it's in and out like a dog at a fair it's now dead easy to do. Don't forget to clean it up and grease it when you refit...

just as a matter of interest masster, have you removed the bolt? the pin on the balljoint has a hollow in, and the bolt locates into this and cannot pull out unless the bolt is completely removed...

i normally use the long handle from a trolly jack to lever the joint out, but dont lever on the driveshaft or anti-roll bar, sometimes they can be really stiff to come out too.. as said above, when they are really tight i use a fork type joint splitter or a pitman arm wedge to knock it out

thanks for answering.

I don't have a roll bar.

It was assumed (having Haynes manual) that I know I have to remove completely all the bolts first. And I did so: 2 bolts and a rivet in the back, 1 bolt in the front and 1 bolt at steering joint.

I don't have a pickle-fork to try, sorry.

I was wondering: out of the 3 mounting points do I have to remove the steering joint first ? Or last ? Perhaps the steering joint is a little off as it's dangling on it own...

i would definitely remove the steering joint first

After quite a struggle, I found out what caused this ordeal: a very rusted joint steering and a slight misalignment due to joint removing last.

I put back the bolts for front and rear mounting points, took a large hammer and bam! joint went out in one blow.