NotARaCist

iTrader: (1)

3 foot crow bar. Get it in there with a dead blow mallet. Pry it out.

Nyfries

thanks so much for this tutorial. I didn't manage to break the ball joint loose by banging on it, but It did pop off with a cheap ball joint tool from princess auto.

Good tip on filling up the tranny from up top.

MP1975

Plan on changing right axle this weekend and this tutorial is excellent. TYVM

Only have one question. When refilling the tranny fluid why can't you just do it the usual way by adding it where the dip stick goes in ?

Thanks in advance,
MP.

Former User

Use dipstick hole for auto trans.

MP1975

I'm no mechanic, learning.

Why are they using the speed sensor hole ?

I'm so confused lmao.

Former User

Some members with manual transmissions use the VSS hole. I personally disagree with the choice because you don't know if the trans is filled with MTF to the proper level.

MP1975

GOT IT !!! Difference being auto / man tranny.

Can't thank you enough.

94 Civic Si

I really like the idea of this trick, but I am unclear as to what/how the wrenches are seperating the ball joint from the LCA? Are you locking the wrenches on something in the subframe? And then when you lower the jack the coil over assembly is popping the LCA off the ball joint?

Thanks!

TomCat39

I now use a ball joint separator (not the pickle fork) but for that trick, when you jack up the control arm the gap between the knuckle and the LCA widens. You slide a couple of wrenches in between right next to the ball joint and when you lower the jack the strut spring pressed the assembly down. The space tries to shrink but the wrenches prevent it and ultimately pop the ball joint free as the pressure builds while lowering the arm/knuckle assembly.

This is what I use now:
https://www.amazon.com/OTC-6297-Ball.../dp/B0015PN010

This video shows the trick I did before I got the separator. I just found you will bend metal so I stacked two wrenches together to have solid metal. A socket will bend as will the box end of a wrench. Notice how he is using the handle of his ratchet as it's solid metal to stick into the space while it's jacked up:

94 Civic Si

Senor Tom Cat - that trick is $!!! Thank you...

Calif_Kid

Tomcat - I bought the same type of tool at Harbor Freight. When I had to replace my upper ball joints, I used the tool, and even with a nut left on to try to protect the threads, the threads ended up getting a little messed up where I had problems trying to get the nut off. The race shop that I go to just uses a hammer to hit the side of the joint to get them to separate, and I know that some of the ball joints or tie rod ends are smaller, and separate easier. Anyway, do you use the above tool for all three joints (upper and lower ball joints plus steering tie rod end), and do you have any problems with the threads getting messed up? Thanks!! - Jim

TomCat39

I just used it on all three as I had to replace the knuckles on my car a couple of weekends ago. Didn't have any issue on uppers, lowers or tie rods.

If I recall I used the smaller setting for the uppers and the tie rods as it keeps the lower jaw more level with the post. The large setting was only used on the lowers if I recall.

Calif_Kid

Tomcat Thanks for the info...
- Jim

94 Civic Si

I used this trick - and this thread over the weekend to pull my driveshafts - thank you!

B18C5-EH2

Unreal that people are still using this to swap axles! I'm glad it's helped so many. The right axle in my wagon just started clicking, LOL!

94EG8

You can still take the fill plug out to check the level while you're filling through the VSS hole. I have a funnel permanently attached to a 3' piece of 1/2EMT I used to fill Honda transmissions. It's great, I just drop it down the VSS hole and it supports itself.

No need to improve on perfection

graevz

Great write up!
One thing is I couldn't get my ball joint loose, no matter how much I banged it. Any other way I can remove the axle without removing the lower ball joint? Thanks!

Whoops, sorry just saw the wrench in the ball joint space trick.

2x0

Have always had to use a pickle fork to pop mine out. I just bought one for like $10.

graevz

I was told I could use that but it would rip my ball joint. My ball joint is only a couple months old. It'll work with out fking up my ball joint? If so, I'll try that too. Thanks!

2x0

Should not hurt the joint, no. But it might tear the dust boot. Get an extra set of boots for around $3 each and you'll be set.

BlackDeuceCoupe

Heh! Got the pictures working again...

B18C5-EH2

LOfuckingL!!!

What a blast from the past! This was like a YT video help wise, beofre YT was a thing.

Speaking of axles...