Hi all. I'm replacing my LCA that got bent when I slid into a curb over the winter. I have a few questions. This is on a 00 prelude by the way. I took off the castle nut holding the ball joint/LCA connection. I'm trying to get the bolt that connects the bottom of the damper fork to the LCA, but it seems like it's wedged in. Do I need to take off the top bolt (connecting the damper fork to the damper)? I assume the spring is pushing on the lower bolt, which is why it's not coming out.
Also, I was trying the ratchet handle method to separate the ball joint, but the 1/2 handle won't fit, no matter how high I jack up the LCA. The smaller handle fits though, will that work? TIA

 

The rachet handle method was meant for Civics & Tegs. Preludes will be different. If you can get the smaller handle to fit in the space & still bind as you bring the hub down, it just might work the same. That would be good info for you to post here if you find it works. If it doesn't, you can rent a lever action tie-rod lifter from Checker auto parts for free to get the job done.

The suspension shouldn't be loading the through bolt as long as the wheels are off the ground. What happens is the rubber bushings are resisting the downward push of the springs, and this causes slight tension. You can easily gauge how much tension is on this bolt by turning the head with your ratchet. If the bolt is really tight, then something might be wrong. On my Civic, I just use a 3/8" ratchet extension & a hammer to tap the bolt back through the hole. It usually pulls out by hand when it's about half way through...

 

Turns out you have to take off the top damper fork bolt before the bottom one.
Also the smaller ratchet does work. I'm still f*cked though because the front side radius rod bolt is stuck and I broke the smaller ratchet trying to get it off (the axle is right above it, making the space too tight for the 1/2" drive). arg


Modified by Steppin Razor at 9:12 AM 4/4/2007