Peugeot 406 (1999 - 2004) - 00 2.0 Release balljoint from lower suspension arm

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Sun 10 Jan 2010 16:21
00 2.0 Release balljoint from lower suspension arm - BrixKev
Hi,

Thank you to steve_earwig for replying to an earlier message about my gearbox type.

I have another problem now. I have just started replacing the clucth on my 406 HDi (90) and I am having problems getting the lower suspension arms to part company with the balljoints. Obviously I have removed (and discarded) the nut that attaches the two, but cannot get the two to part company. I have done a few increasingly hard downward taps with a 4lb lump hammer on the balljoint end os the suspension arm, but nothing seems to want to give. I'm not sure I want to hit it any harder until I have had some advice.
As far as I can see, I am supposed to be dropping the suspesion arm off the balljoint. How much hassle is this usually. Should I try jacking the wheel hub up slightly?
Any help offered would be great!
Thanks,
Kevin.

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 10/01/2010 at 17:22

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Sun 10 Jan 2010 16:41
00 2.0 Releasing balljoint from lower suspension a - Panda_man
You can use a "pickle fork" tool to pry the balljoint out of the arm. The one I have is too fat to fit and would probably damage the balljoint. The proper balljoint splitter tool I have is also unsuitable for this job so this is how I do it on a 406:

1. Screw the nut back onto the bottom balljoint by a few threads (to protect the threads from damage)

2. Use a trolley jack to apply upward pressure to the nut until the suspension arm starts lifting.

3. Shock the suspension arm downwards. To do this I use a long, heavy iron bar resting on the suspension arm and apply sharp downward blows to it with a lump hammer. You can't get much of a swing on the hammer but this works for me.

When you are done, you need to replace the nut with a new one. Peugeot dealers sell them in packs of 5, never seem to have any in stock, and charge a fortune for them - it might be worth trying a fastener specialist instead. The nuts have nylon inserts so you will have trouble torquing them up as the balljoint will spin in its socket once you get reasonably tight. I find that standing on the suspension arm whilst getting an assistant to torque up the nut usually works.

Good luck
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Sun 10 Jan 2010 16:42
00 2.0 Releasing balljoint from lower suspension a - piston power
Smack the part were the ball joint goes through the leg on the hub this should shock it to come out or use a ball joint splitter.

Or do you mean remove the ball joint from the arm to fit new ones if so are they rivetted in?
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