unclematt

Hey All, I tried to swap out the drivers side front control arm today, but could not get the ball joint spindle to release from the control arm. Tried the trick that works on Integras, but no luck, it just deformed the control arm. Tried the harbor freight ball joint separator tool, and no luck either. I see rust, so I am sure they are rusted together. I can't pound on anything with a hammer like with some cars, because the control arm is not solid. I didn't use heat because I didn't want to damage the ball joint boot. Since you have to replace the whole knuckle if you damage the ball joint spindle, I am afraid to get to carried away with applying to much force to the end of the spindle. Thinking it will mushroom. Anyone have any other tricks for me to try?

unclematt

Has anyone ever put double nuts on the spindle and then torqued the bottom one to spin a stuck ball joint spindle free?

turbohatchBnuts

You'll have to beat the lower arm with a hammer until it pops out. I would keep the nut on there so you dont hit it on accident. This is what worked for me. Unless you have a ball joint seperater tool that fits it properly.

Best,
TurbohatchBnuts

unclematt

Thanks for your response. I have a ball joint separator tool that does fit it perfectly, but it still wasn't able to get the job done. I need to get a 14mm nut to use to protect the threads so if I hit the nut I don't damage the cotter pin nut. Then I will try hitting it with a hammer. Small target though.

fcm

Wrap paper towel around joint and soak it and the joint all with Moovit... Moovitâ„¢ Penetrating Lubricant - Lee Valley Tools let sit overnight, it should pop free in the morning. 94

tony_2018

Dat balljoint gonna have to be replaced after all this damage being done to it....sayin..

unclematt

So far no damage to the balljoint luckily. But still no luck getting it separated from the control arm either.

unclematt

I spent all day trying to get this done. I wanted to be able to hit the control arm to the outside of the ball joint spindle hole, but removing the dust shield requires the whole hub to be removed. Not a good design! I had to give up for the second weekend in a row and just put it back together without the new control arm and bushings on.

I hate the thought of spending $225 for the Acura ball joint separator tool, so if anyone knows of an alternative source that is cheaper, let me know. The Ball joint separator tool I got from Harbor Freight was useless. It just bent instead of forcing the spindle out of the control arm.

unclematt

I'm done messing around. I'm just going to use a cutting disc to cut the damn thing off. I will get as close as I dare to the spindle, and then use a chisel to break the spindle holder in 2.

blackeg

you have to give it a hell of a whack with a 5lb sledge. as mentioned keep the nut on a bit so you dont damage the threads. it may help if you take a jack and put it under the nut/threads so it is under some force when you hammer it.

fcm

Did you soak it in Moovit overnight??? 94

unclematt

Yup, I did soak it overnight, and also hit it with a TEN pound sledge. No dice. I'm waiting on balljoint boot clips to come in, and then I'm cutting the damn thing off!

vrrodri

Use a fork and hit it hard a few times, it will damage the BJ but if you see rust anyway it would be a good idea to replace it, the EM2 BJs fit so no need to buy a knucke...this is what I did with mine