Removing control arm ball joints in situ?

[Karl_W911]

I haven't posted on a Pelican forum in over five years, wow. Well, after four years of restoring my '80 931 (still not done yet), I decided to return to my dad's '74 911. I'm doing as much of a complete suspension refresh as possible and got to removing the driver side strut from the ball joint last night. Then I looked into the process of removing that ball joint from the control arm/strut.......Holy geez. I haven't got access to air tools, and I'm dismayed that I might have to buy a $70-$130 tool for a job I'll use once and not again for what could easily be a decade or more, if ever.

If I've gotta buy it, I'll buy it. But before I order it and the rest of my replacement parts, is there a cheaper alternative that might do the same, or tips and tricks I haven't read about yet? I've read that a pipe wrench might do it, but I'm not sure if it'll work for one that's never been removed since it left the factory.

[kyngfish]

Run a search for Jim Tidwell. He sells the ball joint socket for a reasonable price. The fit and finish are excellent and his customer service is top notch.

As for air tools. I don’t know if I would even consider a large job that includes suspension without at least having an impact wrench. It makes most of my jobs much faster and saves wear and tear on my body when I have to put in a full day of wrenching.

There are battery operated impact wrenches. I have the Milwaukee one and it’s been one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. Usually when buying those tools I buy the bare tool and look around for a battery and charger combo. Ends up being cheaper.

That said - a nice air compressor is also a heck of an investment and long term - air tools are cheaper and stronger. But yeah. Now you’re talking thousands.


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[Karl_W911]

Originally Posted by kyngfish

Run a search for Jim Tidwell. He sells the ball joint socket for a reasonable price. The fit and finish are excellent and his customer service is top notch.

As for air tools. I don’t know if I would even consider a large job that includes suspension without at least having an impact wrench. It makes most of my jobs much faster and saves wear and tear on my body when I have to put in a full day of wrenching.

There are battery operated impact wrenches. I have the Milwaukee one and it’s been one of the best purchases I’ve ever made. Usually when buying those tools I buy the bare tool and look around for a battery and charger combo. Ends up being cheaper.

That said - a nice air compressor is also a heck of an investment and long term - air tools are cheaper and stronger. But yeah. Now you’re talking thousands.


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Just sent him an email after some more thread searching. Believe it or not, I've gotten away with doing much of the engine and suspension work on my 931 without impact tools, the strut inserts and mounts are the only parts that come to mind where I've needed them and I borrowed a friend's air impact and chisel then. I'm borrowing another's electric impact just for easier disassembly this week.

I'll have to go out and buy one for myself soon at this rate! I'm still working within a "college budget" haha! But there will come a day when I invest in air tools.

[Cory M]

To do it properly and not damage anything you need the correct socket. You'll be able to sell the socket for about 20 bucks less than you paid for it on the classifieds here when you're done. Almost every 911 ball joint I've removed needs an air impact gun, and I live in southern California where our cars don't rust. My 18 volt DeWalt impact didn't have enough chooch to do it. Without the correct socket and an impact I wouldn't try it, it'll be super frustrating and you'll probably break something. Start spraying the threads with liquid penetrant now, ehether you fix it yourself or pay a shop to do it.

[kyngfish]

Originally Posted by Cory M

To do it properly and not damage anything you need the correct socket. You'll be able to sell the socket for about 20 bucks less than you paid for it on the classifieds here when you're done. Almost every 911 ball joint I've removed needs an air impact gun, and I live in southern California where our cars don't rust. My 18 volt DeWalt impact didn't have enough chooch to do it. Without the correct socket and an impact I wouldn't try it, it'll be super frustrating and you'll probably break something. Start spraying the threads with liquid penetrant now, ehether you fix it yourself or pay a shop to do it.

Not for nothing but the Milwaukee is a beast. I did the ball joints and the rear axle bolts on mine which are at 300+ ft/lbs. I’ve also done fan pulley bolts on two of my trucks. Just saying. Red > Yellow


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[Karl_W911]

Originally Posted by kyngfish

Not for nothing but the Milwaukee is a beast. I did the ball joints and the rear axle bolts on mine which are at 300+ ft/lbs. I’ve also done fan pulley bolts on two of my trucks. Just saying. Red > Yellow


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Jim is sending me the proper socket today! Each nut (every suspension fastener, really) will be sprayed down until it arrives! Ironically, I'm currently using yellow for the majority of this work haha.

[yelcab1]

I have been wrenching on Porsches for 20+ years. Somewhere along the way, I accumulated lifts, air tools, 60 gallon tank, and ten different Milwaukee tools. They have all saved my body, especially my back. I KNOW that life is less fun when your back is messed up.

I don't ever consider any suspension jobs without serious impact wrenches and correct sockets.

[kyngfish]

Originally Posted by Karl_W911

Jim is sending me the proper socket today! Each nut (every suspension fastener, really) will be sprayed down until it arrives! Ironically, I'm currently using yellow for the majority of this work haha.

I was really amazed at both the way he responded and his style of working. He sent me the socket free of charge and said pay me when you inspect it. Trusting that I would. Super old school. Can’t say enough good things.


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[Cory M]

Originally Posted by kyngfish

Not for nothing but the Milwaukee is a beast. I did the ball joints and the rear axle bolts on mine which are at 300+ ft/lbs. I’ve also done fan pulley bolts on two of my trucks. Just saying. Red > Yellow

I agree and have already started phasing in the new Milwaukee tools.

[Shorty62]

LOL I made my own special tool from a 38 mm 3/4 drive socket - cost me $3 at a local trash and treasure market. Just used the new nut as a template and ground it down with a Dremel, a little bit fiddly to do but works a treat.