Hey, I got all the bolts off that I need to take out but I can't separate this dang LCA from the ball joint. I rented the pitchfork set from pepboys and tried that but no luck.

Anyone else have a different way of doing this?

 

I just did this last weekend.

I lifted the hub enough to slide a deep-well socket between the lower arm and the knuckle. Let the hub down and the socket should get pinched tight. After that I kicked down on the rotor/hub with my foot and then POP, it came loose.

 

So put a socket? between the LCA and the hub and step on the hub?

 

Between the LCA and the Knuckle, right beside the ball joint on the engine side.





Modified by K-Litt at 12:15 AM 6/1/2008

 

I'll try that tomorrow.

Any other suggestions?

 

im not from the states... so bear with me...

a pitchfork is something like this?


anyway... i use that... clamp it on very tight... then slam on the side of your control arm with a hammer... i should come loose... can be a bitch though..

 

Hit it with a hammer really hard over and over. Dont hit the actual ball joint or threads, but the LCA its self. The vibrations will lossen the joint.

 

And what about popping the new one back in?

 

It just sits back in the LCA.

If you're talking about actually replacing the ball joint, you'll need a press to put a new one into the Knuckle.

 

No, just replacing the LCA not the ball joint

 

Thanks K-Litt! Put the socket in-between the LCA and knuckle, lowered it, and drop-kicked the rotor lol. Took about 10 tries but it popped out.

 

Haha, right on, I started easy and worked my way up to harder kicks too Didn't know how much it would take ya know, but works real nice like.

 

I wack it with a 5lbs hammer and then seperate it with a pry bar. Works great

 

piece of 2x4 and a 5lb hammer. works for me.

 

Eh, it was funner drop kicking the rotor

 

On hondas I have always had success using this tool below (one on far right)


That tool applying pressure + sledge hammer on LCA can pop the ball joint loose.
I normally rent the kit at the local auto art store.