Can I just use a balljoint removal toolkit to change the lower balljoints on my CRX? I'm replacing most of the suspension bushings and balljoints because I have this nasty shifting feeling from my front end when I drive and while turning it shifts pretty bad too (scary as hell!). I found something with a C grip (?) or something. It basically looks like a vise, but I can't see how that is going to pull out the balljoint so I can press a new one in (yes new, dammit. cheap people!)

 

Get a ball joint press, snap ring pliers, a vise, and a bfh (big fuxxin hammer).

Place the knuckle in vise, remove circlip, use bfh to remove ball joint. Use ball joint press to install the new ball joint.

 

make sure its not welded or you may have to replace entire upper control arm.

 

so I will have to completely remove my control arm? Yeah, I hope it's not welded in. Did the CRX come with welded ball joints in 1988? That would really suck. Anyway, after the brakes, I'm replacing the ball joints then going from there to performance/looks.

 

i just borrowed a manual ball joint press from autozone and did the job in 5 minutes once the arms were out.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ProjectCRXtacy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so I will have to completely remove my control arm? Yeah, I hope it's not welded in. Did the CRX come with welded ball joints in 1988? That would really suck. Anyway, after the brakes, I'm replacing the ball joints then going from there to performance/looks.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Control arms have to be removed. My upper ball joint is welded to the upper control arm on my 88 hatch. The lower ball joints are not welded.

 

uppers-just as easy to buy new upper arms than to deal with all of that weld in bs.

lowers-air hammer is god. took less than 30 seconds per side to shove in and out. if you have access to air tools this is one of the easiest jobs you can do to improve your handling.