COLLIER67

Hi, I am having trouble removing the passenger side lower ball joint. The removal kit I have does not allow for the installation of the receiving tool around the spindle? It is molded and does not allow for a center fit of a socket or the receiving tool. I'm wondering if I need a Honda specific tool to remove it? Any suggestions? Thank-you to all replies.

DCSportEJ1Civic

im gettin ready to replace mine too. i wouldve thought that the tool should work. but mabye not.

Team RS2

just get the autozone 10 dollar pickle fork works great

abusedhusband

iTrader: (1)

AIR HAMMER works for me every time

Team RS2

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by abusedhusband &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">AIR HAMMER works for me every time</TD></TR></TABLE>

waits for the "my air hammer snapped my ball joint in half" thread

DCSportEJ1Civic

but the ball joints being replaced anyway

COLLIER67

Oh no, I'm not having any trouble separating it (a quick smack with a 2lb sledge on the front face does the trick!). My problem is pressing the ball joint out of the hub cavity. I got ahold of a Honda mastertechnician who stated a generic ball joint press would not work due to the configuration of the hub assy. He suggested taking it to a machine shop or Honda shop to have it pressed out. I also acquired the remove/replace procedure from Honda and yes, they do have a specifically designed sleeve for the joint to be pressed into. I also could not find anyone who was selling these specialty tools. It appears Honda likes to only sell to dealerships.

Long story short, remove the hub yourself and take it to the shop for pressing. This will save you about $150. Good luck and thanks for the posts.
E

pdiggitydogg

If youre replacing the joint...why not just whack it out with a BFH? Seriously, what difference does it make if you destroy the threads...
Getting a new one it...ok, thats harder

abusedhusband

iTrader: (1)

like i said use a air hammer to beat it out, then set it in its place and use the air hammer to press it back in. I DO IT AT LEAST 3 TIMES A WEEK.

byronl

do u have an 1/2" craftsman ratchet? do u know about the ratchet trick?

abusedhusband

iTrader: (1)

never seen the ratchet trick, is it easy. please share

vtecftw

go and pick up one of these guys
known as a ball joint sperator or pickle fork

t0p_sh0tta

If using a pickle fork, be careful. They're known to destroy the rubber boots.

pdiggitydogg

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by COLLIER67 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Oh no, I'm not having any trouble separating it (a quick smack with a 2lb sledge on the front face does the trick!). My problem is pressing the ball joint out of the hub cavity.</TD></TR></TABLE><TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by COLLIER67 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Oh no, I'm not having any trouble separating it (a quick smack with a 2lb sledge on the front face does the trick!). My problem is pressing the ball joint out of the hub cavity.</TD></TR></TABLE><TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by COLLIER67 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Oh no, I'm not having any trouble separating it (a quick smack with a 2lb sledge on the front face does the trick!). My problem is pressing the ball joint out of the hub cavity.</TD></TR></TABLE>

You guys cant read?
(I cant stand pickle forks...)

For the guy that wanted to know the ratchet method::
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Luserkid &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">1. Put jack under ball joint and lift til you reach max hight.
2. Put 1/2 inch ratchet like shown in picture.
3. Lower Jack
4. Kick top of brake disc until you hear a pop. (Repeat 1-4 if ball joint not loose)
5. Lift rotor and ball joint is free.
6. Remove ball joint from LCA

</TD></TR></TABLE>

See also:::
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=887859

B serious

iTrader: (1)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pdiggitydogg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

You guys cant read?
(I cant stand pickle forks...)

For the guy that wanted to know the ratchet method::


See also:::
https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=887859</TD></TR></TABLE>

does that really pop it out of the hub itself? in the video, it looked like he was just popping it out of position on the LCA. kinda like the same thing as doing the pickle fork/hammer on the face method. Isn't there a C-clip in there? There was in my EF. Dig thru the grease, remove the C-clip on TOP of the balljoint..where the ratchet would go...and since you're replacing it, just smash it out with a hammer. It comes out going upwards. IIRC, thats the way I did it on my EF...but i havent owned it in a million years lol.

geebs

its seperated already correct? your just trying to remove the ball joint from the spindle?

i used a hammer and hit the balljoint out and then used a socket about the same diameter of the new balljoint top to hit the new one in.. done in like 5 minutes.

use some penetrating lube or brake fluid.. usually helps

dpkelly

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by COLLIER67 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Long story short, remove the hub yourself and take it to the shop for pressing. This will save you about $150. Good luck and thanks for the posts.
E</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree and have done it this way. Gives you peace of mind that's for sure.

B serious

iTrader: (1)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by geebs &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">its seperated already correct? your just trying to remove the ball joint from the spindle?

i used a hammer and hit the balljoint out and then used a socket about the same diameter of the new balljoint top to hit the new one in.. done in like 5 minutes.

use some penetrating lube or brake fluid.. usually helps</TD></TR></TABLE>


The C-clip holds the balljoint in place, trust me. We tried to press one out without knowing about the C-clip, and the big *** hydraulic press we were using BROKE THE SPINDLE.

pdiggitydogg

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by B serious &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">does that really pop it out of the hub itself? in the video, it looked like he was just popping it out of position on the LCA. kinda like the same thing as doing the pickle fork/hammer on the face method.</TD></TR></TABLE>
It removes the joint from the lca, yes. Thats the goal
Its a whole lot smarter than whacking away at the lca.
Also, depending on where you live (michigan for example) you can smack that flat spot ALL day long and end up with nothing but a tired arm. I use the ratchet method every single time.
Fast and easy, damages nothing (where a fork rips boots 75% of the time)
Oh, and if you leave the shock attached to the lca, you dont have to jump on the hub - the spring does the work for you, just lower the jack = pops right out (even smarter still)

And yeah, a Circlip will always hold out if in-place (they do their job well)
A handy set of pliers takes care of that though...

B serious

iTrader: (1)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by pdiggitydogg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
It removes the joint from the lca, yes. Thats the goal
Its a whole lot smarter than whacking away at the lca.
Also, depending on where you live (michigan for example) you can smack that flat spot ALL day long and end up with nothing but a tired arm. I use the ratchet method every single time.
Fast and easy, damages nothing (where a fork rips boots 75% of the time)
Oh, and if you leave the shock attached to the lca, you dont have to jump on the hub - the spring does the work for you, just lower the jack = pops right out (even smarter still)

And yeah, a Circlip will always hold out if in-place (they do their job well)
A handy set of pliers takes care of that though...</TD></TR></TABLE>

yeah but he was asking how to take it out of the knuckle cavity. lol didnt you get all crazy on other people suggesting the pickle fork method because they were telling him how to take it out of the LCA? I live in northern illinois..chicago area...never had a problem with the whacking it with a hammer method. You just pull up on the spindle as you hit it with a hammer. anyway, all that aside;

Remove the C-clip hit it upwards to take it out of the cavity.

pdiggitydogg

i was responding to others questions...

COLLIER67

Does anyone have a decent video or pics of how to set up the "C" clamp with attachments to press the ball joint from the LCA? Since I could not get the configuration correct, and a trusted source gave me some bum gouge, I took it to the dealer with the impression they had a "Special" sleeve that the Ball Joint would be pressed into to remove it from the LCA. Little did I know but found out after $120. that they have a standard ball joint C clamp press with attachments that he used to remove it! I was also informed by the mechanic that they usually remove and replace them while they are still on the vehicle vice removing the entire LCA which is what the Honda manual states?! What a bum deal.

Any videos/pics would be greatly appreciated (of removing the ball joint from LCA, NOT separating it!)!!

dpkelly

You got ripped off. Next time call around to get pricing. Honda did mine for $40. (1/2 hour of labor). Not every Honda operates the same way.

wlee112

WOW!!! the 1/2" Craftsmen ratchet trick works wonders!!! and the only cost is a one time $$ to buy the ratchet! i would tell anyone and EVERYONE to check that trick out.