gojo0401

How do I remove the lower ball joint. I am replacing the axel because the cv joint is bad in my car and one thing turned into another and I ended up screwing up the ball joint how do I remove and replace it? Thanks for the help!

OBD1Kenobe

I'm not sure what is involved as far as replacement goes, but getting it removed (popped loose) is pretty straight forward...

Hit up any auto parts store, and get a pickle fork (seriously - that's what it's called). It looks like a giant tuning fork with a beefy handle.

Remove the fork on the bottom of the strut/spring. There should be two bolts - one holding the fork to the strut, one holding the fork to the suspension arm (can't remember the exact name ).

Remove the cotter pin and castle nut on the bottom of the joint.

Put the pickle fork between the little grease boot on the ball joint and the suspension arm. Now beat the thing in there until the joint pops loose.

There are certainly other ways to do it (a speciality ball joint tool, prybar , etc.), but this is how my friends and I do it.

Someone please correct me if I missed anything.

I hope that is some help to you...

GL


Modified by OBD1Kenobe at 11:55 PM 5/18/2004

1FastCoupe

Remove cotter pin and undo lower balljoint 17mm..DO NOT remove the suspension parts as they will aid in pushing down on the arm to make balljoint seperate. Take a floorjack and CAREFULLY jack the bottom of the brake rotor up until suspension is compressed. Sometimes the balljoint will just pop off but if it doesn't hit the lower arm on its side with a hammer and it will pop out.. You could also get a balljoint seperator but the method above works if you dont have one.

blackeg

go buy a pitman arm puller. it is well worth the hassle of trying to get the balljoint out some other way, and believe me, ive replaced like 5 axles in the past few months

Turbo E

me: pull the pin, loosen the nut, NOT remove. take a big hammer to the side. give er a few good whacks. usually pops loose.

use liberal amounts of spray lube, and use antiseize afterwards.

99blackcivicSi

the EASIEST way i found w/ out tearying the boot or anything is to loosen the nut but don't take it all the way off, jack up the suspension ON THE ROTOR take a hammer and hit the LCA it will pop off very easily then you take the nut off and continue pulling apart. have a nice day

gojo0401

Thank you every one for your help and just to let you know I got it using some of your methods!