bottom ball joints

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grmeek
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bottom ball joints

Post by grmeek »

hi i have got problems trying to find the correct tool for removing the bottom ball joints on my citroen BX. does anybody know where i can buy the special socket that is in the haynes manual. My two local citroen dealers will not sell me it
NiSk
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Post by NiSk »

You may find some Citroën specialist who has made up a suitable tool. The problem with BX (and XM) bottom ball joints is that they either fall out or sit so tight that you'd think thay were welded in place! First of all, you must prise out the locking indent that stops the screw-in joint from rotating. If you are lucky (!?) enough to have relatively loose fittning joints, you can remove them with a large pipe wrench. Otherwise you need to invest in some pretty heavy equipment. My local Citroën specialist has modified a suitable socket by grinding the teeth that fit into the ball joint ring from the outer edge of the socket (note that they AREN'T equally spaced!). He then bolts the special socket onto the balljoint with the normal balljoint retaining bolt. On the outside of his special socket, he has ground hex-flats so that a larger socket can be fitted over the special socket. The larger socket is fitted to a high-torque pneumatic impact driver (of the type used by tyre shops to make your wheels impossible to remove) and there you go! It never fails.
The alternative is to grind the attachment bolt off the ball joint, take a piece of flat steel bar, about the same width as the ball joint and about 1/2 inch thick and about 2 feet long and weld it to the ball joint. A few wacks with a suitable sledge hammar and you're away.
After all this, you may feel that its less agro to pay someone else to do the job! I'm sure there must be a non-authorised Citroën specialist near you who already has the necessary equipment and can spare you the grief!
//NiSk
JohnD
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Post by JohnD »

I know it's a bit extra work, but the job can be made easier if you remove the hub carrier from the car, then you can get the hub into a vice or on to a bench. Seally Tools do a socket to fit the bottom joints. Sometime ago they were selling a tool that was supposed to fit, but didn't. They should have got it sorted by now.
Dave Burns
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Post by Dave Burns »

One such socket here http://www.hdtools.co.uk unfortunately not cheap at £22.50+vat.
To see it goto online shop, j&s, drive train.
Also here if you want to get spheres off, j&s, bodyshop tools, chain clamp.
Dave
grmeek
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Post by grmeek »

Hi there,
done it Sealey sell the special socket for only £6.99 inc VAT part number SX027 phone Sealey on 01284 757500 for nearest dealer. Remember to grease the new bottom ball joints as the hardest one to come off was the one that wasn`t greased had to use a bar with extension and hitting the hub carrier at the same time two man job.
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