Technical How thick (mm) is the ball joint?

[StanZlatan]

I want to buy ball joint splitter but dont know how big is the joint there. Is it 19 mm?

 

[varesecrazy]

I want to buy ball joint splitter but dont know how big is the joint there. Is it 19 mm?

Which ball joint?

 

[bugsymike]

I want to buy ball joint splitter but dont know how big is the joint there. Is it 19 mm?

In over 55 years in the trade I have used a ball joint splitter less times than the fingers of one hand.
A good eye and a hammer blow will usually release the taper on most joints, sometimes it helps to use a bar to push down at the same time.
Mind you as an apprentice in 1969 on a Mk 2 Ford Consul I missed the joint and hit my kneecap knocking me unconscious with the pain for a few seconds , so I quickly learnt more accuracy.
You just hit the side of the joint where the taper is.
Note one firm blow with a good hammer is worth a hundred with a "toy toffee" hammer.
If you slacken the nut , but leave it on a bit it will save you missing and hitting the threads.
You can see I didn't go to art school .

 

[StanZlatan]

Yes i appreciate you using hammers but may be others are not as skilled or value our cars a lot more. And in the meantime the thickness of the ball joint male connection thing is?

 

[bugsymike]

Yes i appreciate you using hammers but may be others are not as skilled or value our cars a lot more. And in the meantime the thickness of the ball joint male connection thing is?

Until you have seen how easy it is done by an experienced person you probably will not understand, also I assure you, no car is hurt during this operation. Furthermore many of my customers appreciated the care and value I gave with their cars enough to be regulars for well over 25 years or more!
However I have seen many rubber boots split by the use of ball joint splitters, so do not count on that being the best method.
Incidentally until you tell us what ball joint you are intending to release it would be hard to advise on a certain size of ball joint splitter.
If you are uncertain of the size maybe something like this universal kit will suit you.

 

[Panda IIs]

Isn't the Panda lower (wishbone) ball joint held in by a pinch bolt? I've done mine twice and not needed the ball joint splitter (that I have in my toolbox). Maybe we are talking about the steering rack tie rod joint though?

 

[StanZlatan]

Mine is held by a ball joint. 2014

The joints under the wheels

 

[bugsymike]

Mine is held by a ball joint. 2014

The joints under the wheels

So as mentioned by @Panda IIs and others, it is a pinch bolt so doesn't need a ball joint splitter.

 

[Herts Hillhopper]

The ‘ball’ part is integral to and not removable from the suspension wishbone. The rod that protrudes from it is held by a pinch bolt - removing that bolt and levering the arm down (with a pry bar) will free the parts. No splitter is needed.

Have a read of this ‘how to’ - it’s for a 500 but the process is identical https://www.fiatworkshop.co.uk/Fiat_500_front_wishbone_removal.shtml