[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?

[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.