I'm putting my rear shocks on and can't get the upper ball joint off, how does everyone get these damn things out/off with out ripping the boot and destroying to balljoint?!

 

Ball-joint puller. Get one at your local auto parts store...

 

dont bother. just take out the upper control arm

 

Yeah, I also think you could just remove the two bolts inside the trunk and pull the knuckle and control arm out of the way. But a ball joint puller is a good tool to have regardless. Last time I used a hammer and a crowbar.

 

im pretty sure lude and accord suspensions are relatively similar, when i installed my coilovers on my accord i dont remember having to remove the ball joints or anything...you sure you have to...???

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by eluderman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I'm putting my rear shocks on and can't get the upper ball joint off, how does everyone get these damn things out/off with out ripping the boot and destroying to balljoint?! </TD></TR></TABLE>

you really need to search - this question comes up every month at least

anyways, your best bet is to purchase a small pitman arm puller (the $8 one at Autozone is PERFECT). you can get the larger one on loan for a $15 or $20 deposit refundable on return. slip it over the joint, turn the hex bolt a few times, and the joint pops off without risking any damage your ball joint whatsoever.

its worth it to have one of these in your toolbox since it will work on multiple cars, not just preludes and really, its only $8

 

It is way easier to just unbolt the uca. I did my complete suspension swap with 2 sizzer jacks and hand tools.

 

ok this is wat you do:

make sure both rear wheels are off the ground. (if i recall correctly. if u run into any problems getting the shock out, you mite need to lower the opposite side from where you're working. this is all because sway bar orientation effects how much freedom u have with the suspension links)

unbolt the sway bar from the upright. this will let the suspension drop way down.

then just unbolt the 2 bolts at the top of the shock from inside the trunk.

from here all you have to do is some clever maneuvering and light pushing down on the suspension to get the whole assembly out.

be patient and observe all your angles to getting the shock assembly out.

i've done my rear suspension this way three times. i did it like this after i couldnt get the ball joint out and did not want to tear the boot.

 

or u could do it the way suggested by the guys above

i just think my way is simpler but hey watever works for you. maybe having that tool around anyway is not such a bad idea.

 

easier way
1) jack up one side of car
2) remove clip from castle nut ball joint
3) undo castle nut on ball joint
4) use ball join remover and tap until lower ball joint drops out
5) undo lower shock bolt
6) undo top shock nuts (in boot)
7) pull out shock

done

 

either search and learn the right way or guess that a pitman arm puller works.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 94vtirozguy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">easier way
1) jack up one side of car
2) remove clip from castle nut ball joint
3) undo castle nut on ball joint
4) use ball join remover and tap until lower ball joint drops out
5) undo lower shock bolt
6) undo top shock nuts (in boot)
7) pull out shock

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