Axles
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From: BC
Axles
Well, I'm getting ready for the big swap day for my 89' CRX Si. Naturally, I've run into problems. First, The axle nuts were seized (I broke two breaker bars, before I discovered the miraculous properties of Liquid Wrench), and now, I'm having trouble getting the disc brakes to swing out of the way. What's the quickest, easiest way to swing all that crap out?? I've already removed lots of the suspension, and I'm still getting nowhere... help? I've never done this before... Thanks, guys. 
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From: Huntington Beach, CA, USA
Re: Axles (89_Y_49)
Yeah, damn those spindle nuts! I had my biggest friends go latrell sprewell on those things with a 3 foot breaker bar... still didn't come loose. anyway..
you can either separate your ball joints... or do what I did: You just take apart your suspension. Undo the sway bar, remove the lower control arm at the frame (not at the wheel, you don't have to), undo the radius rods... I think that's it. There might be more, but its really easy to do. The whole steering knuckle/hub/disc brake assembly should literally turn 180 degrees, after your axle comes out of course... I hope this helps...
Edit: oh yeah, i forgot of course the damper fork.. remove that as well..
[Modified by carsaregood, 9:00 AM 3/14/2002]
you can either separate your ball joints... or do what I did: You just take apart your suspension. Undo the sway bar, remove the lower control arm at the frame (not at the wheel, you don't have to), undo the radius rods... I think that's it. There might be more, but its really easy to do. The whole steering knuckle/hub/disc brake assembly should literally turn 180 degrees, after your axle comes out of course... I hope this helps...
Edit: oh yeah, i forgot of course the damper fork.. remove that as well..
[Modified by carsaregood, 9:00 AM 3/14/2002]
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Re: Axles (breaka_1_9)
...and if the ball joint doesn't want to come out, tap it lightly with a hammer to break it free.
I laughed/cried when I read this. You must be really lucky it tapping lightly separated the lower ball joints on your ride. I used a 2 lb sledge on mine hitting non-stop for about 15 minutes and it didn't budge. I used about 1/4 can of PB blaster, hit it with an air hammer/chisel looking thing for about 15 minutes then soaked it overnight in WD-40, and still couldn't get it apart. Hammered on it for about 20 minutes straight turning the wheels side to side every once in a while, and still got nothing.
Finally I resorted to a pickling fork, and 3 hits later it was apart. No ripped boot, nothing. I use the forks all of the time and have only ripped a boot once.
I agree that pulling the joints is easier, but if tapping doesn't get the joint apart, don't be afraid of the pickling fork. The worst that can happen is that you have to replace the boot which takes all of about 25 seconds to do.
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: NorCal
Re: Axles (therealciviczc)
A friend of mine told me to hit the lower control arm with a 5lb sledge. That lower ball joint just popped out. It has worked every time I've tried it and you don't have to mess with pullers and forks. My car's previous owner lived on the coast so it wasn't like they were well-oiled or anything.
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From: MA
Re: Axles (therealciviczc)
I laughed/cried when I read this. You must be really lucky it tapping lightly separated the lower ball joints on your ride. I used a 2 lb sledge on mine hitting non-stop for about 15 minutes and it didn't budge. I used about 1/4 can of PB blaster, hit it with an air hammer/chisel looking thing for about 15 minutes then soaked it overnight in WD-40, and still couldn't get it apart. Hammered on it for about 20 minutes straight turning the wheels side to side every once in a while, and still got nothing.
Finally I resorted to a pickling fork, and 3 hits later it was apart. No ripped boot, nothing. I use the forks all of the time and have only ripped a boot once.
I agree that pulling the joints is easier, but if tapping doesn't get the joint apart, don't be afraid of the pickling fork. The worst that can happen is that you have to replace the boot which takes all of about 25 seconds to do.
Finally I resorted to a pickling fork, and 3 hits later it was apart. No ripped boot, nothing. I use the forks all of the time and have only ripped a boot once.
I agree that pulling the joints is easier, but if tapping doesn't get the joint apart, don't be afraid of the pickling fork. The worst that can happen is that you have to replace the boot which takes all of about 25 seconds to do.
but your are certainly right. just tapping lightly on the ball joint won't do a damn thing. use the pickling fork and go from there.
good catch thereal...
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Destrehan, LA, USA
Re: Axles (breaka_1_9)
To keep the "pickle fork" or technically a Ball Joint separator. spray some WD40 or something on the boot first, then Hammer the separator between the steering knuckle and the ball joint, it might not pop out by just doing that, once you have it in there, give the bottom of the steering knuckle where the joint goes through a few hard blows with the hammer and it should pop out without a problem.
WHATEVER you do DO NOT hammer on the threaded part of the Ball joint, you won't be able to get the nut back on straight and its a nightmare.
hope this helps, I have my swap fresh in my memory, so if you have any other problems email me
iasca12@***.net
WHATEVER you do DO NOT hammer on the threaded part of the Ball joint, you won't be able to get the nut back on straight and its a nightmare.
hope this helps, I have my swap fresh in my memory, so if you have any other problems email me
iasca12@***.net
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From: SingLe caM tuRbo, WA, usa
Re: Axles (therealciviczc)
...and if the ball joint doesn't want to come out, tap it lightly with a hammer to break it free.
I laughed/cried when I read this. You must be really lucky it tapping lightly separated the lower ball joints on your ride. I used a 2 lb sledge on mine hitting non-stop for about 15 minutes and it didn't budge. I used about 1/4 can of PB blaster, hit it with an air hammer/chisel looking thing for about 15 minutes then soaked it overnight in WD-40, and still couldn't get it apart. Hammered on it for about 20 minutes straight turning the wheels side to side every once in a while, and still got nothing.
Finally I resorted to a pickling fork, and 3 hits later it was apart. No ripped boot, nothing. I use the forks all of the time and have only ripped a boot once.
I agree that pulling the joints is easier, but if tapping doesn't get the joint apart, don't be afraid of the pickling fork. The worst that can happen is that you have to replace the boot which takes all of about 25 seconds to do.
I laughed/cried when I read this. You must be really lucky it tapping lightly separated the lower ball joints on your ride. I used a 2 lb sledge on mine hitting non-stop for about 15 minutes and it didn't budge. I used about 1/4 can of PB blaster, hit it with an air hammer/chisel looking thing for about 15 minutes then soaked it overnight in WD-40, and still couldn't get it apart. Hammered on it for about 20 minutes straight turning the wheels side to side every once in a while, and still got nothing.
Finally I resorted to a pickling fork, and 3 hits later it was apart. No ripped boot, nothing. I use the forks all of the time and have only ripped a boot once.
I agree that pulling the joints is easier, but if tapping doesn't get the joint apart, don't be afraid of the pickling fork. The worst that can happen is that you have to replace the boot which takes all of about 25 seconds to do.
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