Anyone use 2 jaw ball joint & tie rod pullers Options

[ESPCamaro]

I've gotta replace upper ball joints, and outter tie rod ends. But just a few weeks later, I will have to take apart the front end again for a shock swap (getting rebuilt). I don't want to damage the ball joints, and suspect that smacking with a hammer won't pop loose a new joint.

Anyone use these little two jawed pullers? Do they cause any damage at all?

[sgarnett]

I would just use the hammer tap method on the upper balljoint. It won't hurt it and should work just as well on an newly installed joint.

I haven't tried the tie rod end, though.

[John_D.]

I've used a 2 jaw puller on tie rod ends before, no problem. The boot stays intact.

Ball joints.... Same thing. Only I think I used a pitman arm puller. Same 2 jaw approach, just sturdier.

[94bird]

I rent tools like that from AutoZone and have used a puller for my tie rods when I was replacing the dust covers on the outer section last year. Worked great.

[slowTA]

I have to go with the puller method especially the kind that have fixed jaws, they are more stable that way. I can use a pitman arm pulley for my ball joints and tierods too, but that is for a 3rd gen. You might need a smaller puller for the tierods, Autozone has a smaller one with fixed jaws too. You can't beat free tool rental, even if you don't buy the parts there!!

I tried the hammer method but messed up the threads on a ball joint that way. With the puller, you just have to tighten it until everything pops apart.

[ESPCamaro]

Thanks guys.
Sounds like they'll work fine. Hopefully I'll have this thing apart and back together next week.