Technical Gear change Linkage

[Kevin Hammond]

Can anyone help
I am in the process of preparing my car for a clutch change. Part of the job is to remove the gearchange mechanism/links. The Haynes manual points to removing a pair of ball joints. I'm really not sure how to get these off. There appears to be no way of doing it without wrecking them. Any ideas?

Sorry meant to add to that it is a 2002 Punto 8v active sport

 

[bredsticz]

Brute force! That's the only way! Just use a screwdriver under it and use as a lever. Or something bigger! They are a real pain in the ass!

 

[Kevin Hammond]

Thanks for a quick reply - so will I not damage them if I use brute force?

 

[Kevin Hammond]

Sorted thanks - they came off OK - I just needed the confidence to know how.

 

[apples76]

i unbolted the levers not realising i could flip them off, now my gear box is out of sync with the gear stick...... more fun to be had