What is the best way to separate the lower ball joint? I've tried using a Ball joint seperator, but all it did was rip the boot, and a 2 jaw puller, but it broke. Normally I would just remove the entire lower control arm, but I'd like to replace the joints soon.

 

honestly the best is the seperator.

Make sure you are using it correctly. Get the jaws on it to sit above the boot and tighten it down. then hit the bottom of the separator with a hammer real quick to give it a quick shock. Usually a few hits and that will get it to break free.

 

there are at least 10 ways to separate the lower ball joint, i prefer to use a pickle fork... it's an art form to not tear the boot.... you could just use a hammer or a separator like he said...

 

you shouldn't have to use a hammer in conjunction with a separator. just tighten the separator until the ball joint pop free from the lca.

 

i have always used one once it got really tight against the ball joint. Thats just me. I mean no sense in straining myself tightening one of the jaw type separators. But you are correct, you should just tighten it.

 

I'll try the 2 jaw method again. At autozone they have a big one and a small (which is also a 3 jaw puller) which would you recommend?

 

well the ball joint is not that big.......i guess maybe the small? problem is with 3, you have a bigger chance of a claw slipping, and messing up the boot, but you said the boot was already torn. oh wells.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISY8bGof3bQ

 

I've seen this video before, but I Don't really get what he's doing

 

dont get the gear pullers (2-jaw or 3-jaw), those aren't the same as a ball joint separator. for the lower ball joint on a Honda, you should probably rent the tie rod separator as that one is smaller than the ball joint separator but the same design. Now I may be wrong and you may have to return it and rent the ball joint one but dont use the gear pullers, you'll see the difference.

 

what it looks like in the video is they raise the knuckle assembly to slide a ratchet in between the lca and knuckle right next to the ball joint boot. then they remove the jack and the ratchet get wedged in there, next they kick the brake rotor to force the knuckle down and the ratchet acts as a pivot point to pop the ball joint free from the lca.

I've never seen that video before nor have I heard of that method but that is what it looks like to me.

 

Alright I'm going to try the Method in the video and I'll post the results

 

Round off the sharp tip and you're good to go.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/cat...man+Arm+Puller

 

I used a pickle fork for the rear balljoints when I did my suspension. Rented it from autozone.

 

Ya, local dealer tech said just hit knuckle with 5 pound hand sledge vibration seperates it.

 

same here.. All i saw was a hard kick .. haha!!

 

at first, neither did I. But after I kept replaying it I noticed something fall right after the kick, around the 12sec mark. So I looked further back and if you pause at 8-10sec into the video you will see the handle of a ratchet placed in between the knuckle and lca.

 

Update I just tried the method in the video and IT WORKED!!! I found that you don't have to kick the knuckle, just let the jack drop

 

GOOD EYES BRO!!! Have to do the drivers side becasue I replaced the WRONG SIDE front wheel bearing in my '99 Accord EX 5-speed. Very unhappy!

 

Good ****! I knew it would. I recently did a swap and found this vid. Worked 1,2,3. Glad to hear it worked out.

 

I always use the method in that video, only I actually kick down on the ratchet and that works for me.

 

-Get the biggest hammer you can find.
-Find a man near by.
-Ask the man to hit your LCA for you 2-5 times.
-Ball joint will break loose.

If that doesn't work, repeat one time. If it still doesn't work, use a pickle fork, but don't tear the boot.

 

I use the method in the video, and it works wonders! The only time it didnt work was when a balljoint was so worn out, the "ball" just lifted up but the threaded part was still stuck in the LCA..

I usually put either a balljoint fork, prybar, anything big enough to fit between the LCA and kuckle, and just let the jack drop. Once or twice, there it goes! (i'm in Quebec, where snow, ice, and salt makes a 1h job turn up being a 2-3h job because of rust)

 

I always do like in the video. A Craftsman 1/2 ratchet wrench fits perfectly. Sometimes you have to stand on the rotor and bounce a little.

 

I used this method yesterday and it worked 1st try!