ok guys i need some help, im puttin some new springs and shocks in my car and i was reading up about the install (this will be my first time) and i was wondering what all i am going to need to get the balljoint out on my rears?

 

If your talking about the lower on the rear knuckle you need a big hammer and some snapring pliers. You take off the snapring then hit the ball joint out with a big hammer. It will be easier to do if you take teh knuckle off the car. If your talking about the one that is more like a tie rod on rear arm then you need a socket it unbolts.

 

try and see if you have access to a bench press. the easiest way to replace 'em is a bench press to press them out, then just use a hammer to punch 'em in.

 

Hammering it out can damage the threads & make it so you can't get the nut back on. I've use the forklike things in the past (you can "rent" one at autozone, or buy one cheap), but purchase some new boots because the old ones usually don't survive the process.
I recently purchase a different tool, 'U' shaped with a bolt in the center that is used to push the joint out. I seems like it will work w/out tearing up the boot, but I haven't used it yet to know how well it works.

 

I barely tapped the arm with a hammer and just pulled down a little and it popped out on my 12 year old prelude.

 

None of my balljoints were aver that easy. Anyways, to answer the original question you don't have to pop out the ball joint to put the rear struts/springs in. It is a tight squeeze & takes a certain technique. I've done it several times on my own, but is easier if you can have a second person pushing down on the knuckle as you work it in (gives you more space).

 

ok so push down on it.....and then work it in? cuz i will have a friend helpin me out

 

for me i rather use the ball joint splitter tool (fork like). I wouldnt recommend hammering on it, but if you have no choice and you think you can aim it right on the spot then i would recommend leaving the nut on but loosed with a gap, so that way you won't damage the thread but the nut.

 

I wouldn't use the fork, cause then it'll rip the boot, just leave the catle nut on, barely, and hammer that puppy out, and hit it hard cause is a pain in the butt, i've done quite a few times myself. If you take out the castle nut all the way, and you miss you could damage the threads i know i did .

 

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Bring the strut in horizontally, from the back, bottom end first between the trailing arm & body. Once it's forward enough swing the top of the strut up & get it vertical. Now you have your friend push down on the knuckle as you work it in.