The Mueller-Kueps Ball Joint Separator System, No. 609 033, offers three interchangeable fork sizes (24mm, 27mm and 31mm), which are attached to the center screw to allow continuous adjustment within the jaw capacity range (30mm to 65mm). Designed for use with an impact, the separator is drop forged and comes with a “Vibro-Impact” reaction screw. This separator system will save time on ball joint work and helps users avoid damaging ALU parts and rubber hoses. This system can be used on certain Audi, Volkswagen, BMW and Mercedes-Benz makes.
The review
As a shop owner, Vincent LaDuca appreciates a tool that saves him time because it allows him to increase shop profits and pass savings on to customers. So he was pleased to utilize the Mueller-Kueps Ball Joint Separator System for any job with a press-able ball joint.
“It was very helpful,” says LaDuca, owner of LaDuca Auto Service in Pleasantville, N.Y. “If it fit in there, it worked very well.”
LaDuca and his technicians found the tool to be versatile as they used the Ball Joint Separator on a number of vehicles, including a Honda Odyssey, where a ball joint had to be pressed out.
“Where it saved a lot of time was where we didn’t have to disassemble the whole job and put it on the press,” LaDuca explains. “It allows for on-the-vehicle installation without taking the control arm or the spindle out.”
“It could save you hours,” he adds.
Designed as an accessory for use with an impact, the tool arrived ready to use so no set-up was required. LaDuca say it is very intuitive to use.
“It’s one of the simplest tools that we’ve used,” LaDuca says. “Basically, you unscrew it to open the jaw. Then you secure it to where you’re going to press it. Then you put your pneumatic on it to tighten it up.”
“An experienced technician will immediately know what to do with it,” he continues. “You could probably do it blindfolded. There are no instructions needed.”
The Ball Joint Separator System’s durability also impressed the crew at LaDuca Auto Service.
“We’ve used it a number of times, and it hasn’t gotten distorted or wear on it. Tools like that can take a beating because you’re putting it under on a lot of pressure, but it seems to have held up very well,” LaDuca says.
Noting that it is safe to use, LaDuca says the Mueller-Kueps Ball Joint Separator System is a tool worth putting in the toolbox if a shop is doing a fair amount of ball joints or suspension work.
