Ball joint separators

[Tintin]

I am refurbishing the front suspension of my S1 and have never been able to separate these lower swivel joints without damaging the boot. I have three separators as per the photo below and have modified 2 by grinding out the jaws to increase their capacity but the small space available for fitting them (even with the top joint separated and the hub pivoted down) is not enough to get a decent purchase and apply sufficient pressure. To separate the second joint on the car I had to remove the lower wish bone and hub as a unit and separate them on the bench. The XJS swivel joints were just as difficult when I did them a couple of years ago.

The Jaguar tool is Churchill JD.24 which diagrams show as a stirrup type separator (but I have never seen one in the flesh).

Does any one know of a better tool or have a special knack for doing this job?

Robbie

[mike020150]

Hi Robbie,

You have missed one vital ingredient from your list of tools, 'luck'. I have broken ball joint separators and damaged numerous gaiters on this task. Once upon a time, the gaiters were a genuine spare part. These days, you just have to keep spare ball joint units in stock for the times when you risk separating the joints. Mike.

[340jag]

You can still get Gaiters !

[mike020150]

Do yours fit the later sealed bottom ball joints? Mine didn't. Mike.

[DaveNeedham]

https://www.balljointboots.co.uk/
Good quality too. They don’t crumble to dust at the first sign of sunshine

Dave

[mike020150]

Good tip. Mike.