Lower Ball Joints

Hmmmmm, you could try hitting a wall at about 130 mph.

Seriously, if your talking about the old fork splitter that's used to wedge them apart, there's probably some new high-tech version of it, but the principle is the same (the ball and "cup" have to be forced apart). Most tools not made for that application will cause other damage.

But, I'm sure one of the experts here will have some words of wisdom on this maneuver. Stay tuned.

WHERE CAN I GET ONE OF THOSE FORD TOOLS AND WHAT IS THE NUMBER? THANKS RC

Dunno. I've never used a "special tool" to remove any ball joint. I save my money for other more important things and remove ball joints as follows. On all cars including the Pantera, the forged-steel area that takes the ball joint stud has two raised bosses. These are designed to be pounding-spots. You get a big hammer (at least 2 or 3 pounds) and with the ball joint nut loose but not removed, you whack the most accessible pounding spot very smartly until the receiver suddenly releases the ball stud (which is why one leaves the nut connected a few turns). In this case, brutality rules, not delicate love-taps which do absolutely nothing! Note- this is also the way one releases the tie-rod ends, except you usually need a second big chunk of steel held against the opposite side of the tierod end as a back-up, or the pounding is less effective due to deflection. No damage to the ball stud, the steel receiver nor the rubber boots will occur- trust me. This stuff is right outa the '30s before electronic- everythings were around, and it still works.

I have a Ford Dealers tool kit with a tool made for separating the ball joints. I can email pictures if you want to see how it works.

KenInSoCal@home.com