Ball Joint Separator

By Andy Radin

The ball joint seperator shown in the factory service manual, made by Kent-Moore tools, no longer exists. If you order it from K-M they will send you a nice chrome-plated pickle fork. Pickle forks have been said again and again to rip the expensive ball-joint boots to shreds. What to do?

Well, JC Whitney has a similar ball-joint seperator in stock now for $15.99 (half the price of the K-M tool). I ordered one and found it to be of quite sturdy construction. It works kind of like a screw-operated pliers to gently pull the ball joint loose. The part number is 81NL2149N - Ball Joint Remover.

You would need one of these to change wheel bearings, change suspension arms, replace bushings, etc.