I need to replace an axle, and when I went to separate the lower ball joint, the castle nut won't come off. It's backed down to the bottom of that stud, but won't come off. It's looking like it may have been cross-threaded b/c the stud spins with the nut when you try to do anything.

So, is there a way to remove the axle w/o separating that joint?

Also...if you have any suggestions on how to get that damn nut off w/o having to replace the ball joint, that would also be appreciated.

 

yea everytime i did it i didnt take the ball joint out just remove the lower control arm and swing the rotor all the way to one side... there should be enough play in the axle to allow it to fit

 

to keep the stud from spinning with the nut you hold the stud with vice grips while turning the castle nut, thats what Ive done when that happens to me, its not uncommon

 

if you use vice grips you could mess up the threads on the joint and that means $$$$ to get a new one...

 

yes it can be done without removing the ball joint. just disconnect everything so you can swing it out far enough, you might also have to disconnect the sway bar endlinks

 

Why not just separate the upper balljoint? Works fine that way too.

 

so put duct tape around the vice grips so they dont damage the threads

 

I have gone through pain twice. Separating the lower ball joint with a pickle fork will bust the ball joint. After removing the castle nut and placing a jack under the threads and jacking it up will crush the threads. Don't mess with the lower ball joint area.

Disconnect everything so you can swing it out.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by ngswimmer08 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">yes it can be done without removing the ball joint. just disconnect everything so you can swing it out far enough, you might also have to disconnect the sway bar endlinks</TD></TR></TABLE>

Is the swaybar under tension just bolted to the car?

 

http://www.hondapartsunlimited...dIrno=

 

Swaybar is just bolt on, might spring up a little on ya depending on how far you have the car jacked up but nothing thats going to hurt you.

I've never removed the lower balljoint to replace any axle, no reason too.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by CleanLikeJdm &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Why not just separate the upper balljoint? Works fine that way too.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats how I've always done it