hi guys,can the upper ball joints be removed and refitted (with the right tool)without removeing the wish bone or would a bench vice be needed.

 

Upper Balljoint - item 3 in the following:

Jaguar XK8 - Upper Wishbone.pdf

This needs a workshop press to remove/refit. A bench vice wouldn't do the job.

Graham

 

The JTIS recommends a special tool for removal of the upper wishbone ball joints, similar to the one used by Reverend Sam in his videos of removing the upper wishbone bushes and track rod ends ( not the forked tool, but the gripper with the tightening bolt through it ).
It states ( i'm not sure which is the part number ) E36397, Ball joint taper seperator 204-192 (JD 219).
Would this tool not do the job?

Sorry for chirping up GGG, but i was looking at an upper and lower ball joint set today for my own suspension problems, so i have a vested interest in what's required to remove the upper wishbone ball joints.

Got my aluminium thermostat housing delivered today, yippee

 

Thanks for the info guys,just to add to this,i have just been offerd a full upper wishbone with ball joint and bushes in vgc but there off a stype that the seller says is the same part and fitment can enyone till me if this info is correct,thanks

 

I think graham11 ( and hi ) that GGG would know whether that recommended tool i mentioned was up to the job or not.
It may be that that tool is not sufficient, hence his info that a workshop press is necessary. GGG has the JTIS, and will know of the tool.

My post was therefore more of a question, than valid info, and GGG has the last word against the info in my post.
It was not intended to contradict him, especially since he knows more about these cars than i ever will.

Edit:

However, if GGG says that type of tool would be up to the job, i think they can remove the ball joint without removing the wishbone, and i found this link:


http://www.incarshop.co.uk/acatalog/...eparators.html

 

Do you want to release the upper ball joint or renew it? Roadhogg has the info on the release tool; I thought you wanted to renew it.

I think the seller with the S-Type wishbone is being very optimistic.

Graham

 

I see my mistake now

If you want to just seperate the ball joints you can use the tool, but if you want to replace them ( and it looks like you do ) you'll need a workshop press.
Apologies all round gentlemen.

 

I tried doing my ball joints. Y'all have seen my videos. You know I'll tackle just about anything. The ball joints were too much for me. You REALLY need a special tool that straddles the ball joint after you've cut away the edges of it. But be careful cutting away the edges because it's easy to cut too deep with a cutoff tool. Then I bent my 12 ton press trying to press the new ball joint in place.

Ball joints are one job I won't try again. At least not on an XK8. It might be easier on another car.

 

As can anyone else who would like to have it. Just look for the download link posted by Jim Lombardi.

People are even installing it on Macs.

 

Although the easiest ball joint separator to use is the 'fork' shaped pattern which is driven between the joint and wishbone with a hammer, it's difficult to avoid damaging the rubber boot on the joint.

The 'screw' type which is tightened directly against end of the threaded part of the joint is safer but in some situations there's not enough space to use one of these.

An alternative is the old trick of using two lump hammers. Slacken the ball joint securing nut and strike simultaneously with the hammers on opposite sides of the wishbone next to the joint. This shocks the joint free.

Graham

 

It looks to me like he wants to fit new ball joints GGG, not just seperate them to get to something else.
This is where you were right, and i was wrong, in the first place.

I was on the net looking at ball joint sets because i was thinking of replacing my own as a preventative measure, but after what i've discovered about the amount of force needed to fit new ones to the upper wishbones, well, as i think "Brutal" liked to say, " if it ain't broke".

If the Reverend can bend a 12 ton press trying it, that's enough to put me right off it lol.
I've also learned that with my limited mechanical knowledge, it would most likely be best if i limit myself to asking questions, and refrain from attempting to answer them, however much i might be driven by a desire to help, because i'm likely to get it wrong
Nuff said

 

There's two replacement items on the XK8 beyond most owners DIY tools - front wheel bearings and ball joints. The wheel bearings need a special key to release the rotor nut so that's one for a Jaguar Dealer or Independent. However, the ball joint is a standard part and most garages could press the old one out and fit the new one for you. More often than not you'll find the upper wishbone bushes are shot but the ball joint is OK.

Graham

 

Thanks guys for all your info,my only problem was refitting the ball joint everything else was fine,i now have a jaguar mobile mechanic comeing that can refit the joint at home,keep up the good work people and thanks again.

 

Can you post some pics? Be interesting to see what kit he uses.

Graham