I just completed an integra front brake swap, but I forgot to buy the cotter pins for the steering and lower/upper ball joints.

Is it okay to drive without them on?

 

i would think it's okay as long as you torque them up to manufacturers specs but, it is just an extra safety precaution. it would be worth an extra $1.20 +/- to know that it would prevent the nut from slipping out.

 

are you talking about the cotter pins that mount under the crown bolts? if so, i personally would NOT drive it until I had those pins. But... you could just as easily just bend a paperclip in there to do the job.

 

hmm....I hope I'm not endangering myself. . . . ..when I was pulling the cotter pin off, it was so rusted that I broke it inside. I can't think of a way to get it out!?

 

Small nail and a hammer should dislodge it. go to the hardware store and they should have some cotter pins that will fit.

 

I know that there are 100 posts on this here already but I will ask you personally. How did you seperate your ball joints? Any info or problems you had and could share will help me as soon as I install mine.


Thanks

 

250PSI going through a snap-on air hammer

I can't imagine doing it without such a weapon... i mean tool

 

i used a three inch three fingered prong to seperate the balljoint for the knuckle and the tie rod. the prong has a middle piece that pushes on the threaded part when you turn it once it clamps in between the part you want seperated. no matter what you're seperating, the knuckle or the tie rod, keep the nut on there because it will prevent the threads from being mushroomed and it'll provide a better grip.