removing ball joints on a tractor

[pinball]

what is the tool called to use in removing ball joints on a tractor. thinking about buying the tool to help me on my tractor. thanks in advance norm

 

[el6147]

pickle fork

 

[Adirondack case guy]

You don't need a pickle fork. Take the castle nuts off. and then take a 4# hammer and hit the end of the steering arm on the end of it, or if you can't hit the arm square on the end, take 2 hammers, using one as backup and swing the other one on the side of the tapered hole. The tapered ball joint will pop rite out.
Loren

 

[derwen1959]

the tool you need is a hammer also tire lever

 

[Brian G. NY]

"It will pop rite out"

Yes it will....sometimes a "tie rod end" is worth saving and this method will not damage it like a pickle fork may.

 

[old]

Ball joint never seen one on a tractor now tie rod yes. If tie rod a pickle fork or there is also a tool made that sort of looks like a gear puller but the 2 arms are fixed and it slip on and pushed the end right out. The hammer trick while it works some times can also break the arm the tie rod is in. Seen that happen many times

 

[Gambles]

Sometimes a tie rod needs to be saved and it's really hard to do with a pickle fork.
There are tools made that you can sometimes use to separate a tie rod without ruining it.
Search the web for a tool like: "GearWrench 3916D Universal Ball Joint Separator" or something similar.
There are many brands of this tool.

 

[David G]

Do not take the nut off, loosen it so the nut covers the end of the threads, then wack it.

 

[rustred]

all depends on what kind of tractor, as yes there is ball joint tools.but if its just an old tractor tie rod ends then you need basically just a hammer.

 

[Ken Combs]

Two hammers is my preferred method. Less chance of damaging something. I like to swing a 2 or 3 pounded and back with a 4 or 6.

 

[David G]

yes, true

 

[Adirondack case guy]

I don't whack the threaded tapered ball. I hit the side or end of steering arm where the tapered ball is seated.
Loren

 

[Steve@Advance]

Yes, leave the nut on!

Two reasons, it protects the threads. Sometimes it's in a awkward position, sometimes my aim is not always perfect. Prevention is way easier than the cure!

Second reason, it contains the tie rod when it pops loose. Better than having it come flying out and landing who knows where. Usually somewhere painful!

 

[gab]

I've got a pickle fork for my air chisel but can usually just loosen the nut and whack the part the tie rod or ball joint goes in to. Done it hundreds of times and seen other guys do it and never seen anything get damaged.

 

[Brian G. NY]

Back in the 80s I "parted out 11 or 12 early Falcons and Comets and a half dozen '65 to '71 Fairlanes. Used the hammer method (usually two) never broke or bent anything.
My wife had, at one time, 4 uncles who worked as Ford mechanics since the 30s.....they showed me that method when I was a teenager back in the 50s.
Another old mechanic showed me how to remove flywheels from small engines by removing the nut, placing an impact socket over it and giving the flywheel a "sharp" rap with a heavy hammer as if to drive it on.
The flywheel will pop right off with the first whack almost every time.

 

[Inno]

I find the ball joint tools/pullers you can buy are often too thick for tractor use. I took two steel wedges and welded flat pieces across them to get the proper spacing. Taken many a tie rod apart this way and haven't damaged anything. I have damaged some by using the good ole hammer method, even leaving the nut on.

 

[Brian G. NY]

(quoted from post at 14:26:56 08/13/18) I find the ball joint tools/pullers you can buy are often too thick for tractor use. I took two steel wedges and welded flat pieces across them to get the proper spacing. Taken many a tie rod apart this way and haven't damaged anything. I have damaged some by using the good ole hammer method, even leaving the nut on.

There is a big difference in the "hammer methods"......trying to drive the tie rod end out by hammering on the end with the nut loosened will almost always damage it.

 

[TimWafer]

Hammer!