Tommorow I will be changing Lower Ball Joint on my 1995 Civic. I was wondering if you guys had any tips? I am pretty sure what to do just have never done it before. Anything you have done to make it easier? Also should I expect a big change in alignment? Thanks guys your input is appreciated.

 

ur gonna have little to no change in alignment... the right way is a ball joint press but.. i did mine with a big *** hammers and snap ring pliers...

1. take the knuckle off...
2. take the snap ring off the old ball joint...
3. then use the hammer to bang the old one out...
4. get some wd40 and spray the new ball joint and bang the new one in...
5. put the snap ring the new ball joint...
6. put the knuckle back on...
7. do the other side...

 

pneumatic air tools help immensely.

 

i just did mine with a hammer too. The balljoint puller i have was great for getting the new one in but wasn't able to fit in the knuckle well enough for removing the old one. While you are at it check your wheel bearings too. There is an entry in the FAQ with very good pictures and step by step documentation. And yes, air tools are your friend

 

if your using a press, i found this write up....shows how to do wheel bearings to.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/how-install-wheel-bearings-lower-ball-joints-pic-intensive-1567042/

 

The proper tool looks like this:

http://www.spcalignment.com/PROD_DIR...d2=40920&cmd3=

This should give you an idea of the shape and process. The factory service manual specifies the use of two tools and a bench vice. Yep, a vice. The two tools are the same as provided with the tool kit from SPC.

Source for this kit at a significant discount, Progress Auto. They sell suspension parts here on HT.

http://www.progressauto.com/home

Considering your deadline of tomorrow, I'd just take a look at the tool and see if you can find substitute parts like a properly sized socket or two, and a vice.

Do NOT use a steel hammer to put in a new part, you will damage it. Using the right tool is far superior to banging on something with the wrong tool.

Also, no lubricant is specified for installing these parts and as such I would NOT use any.

Aligning a vehicle is always a good idea after removing and installing any suspension parts.

Removing ball joints from the arms usually should be done with a specially shaped puller, link to the kit on Matco's site:

Item MST6295
http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/to...at=2354&page=2

HOWEVER, it is possible to pop both ball joints loose from the knuckle as well as the tie rod, by striking solidly on the knuckle where the ball joint/tie rod passes through. Use only a brass hammer, mid weight is best (you are trying to create high frequency vibration to 'wiggle' the part out). Leave the securing nut on a few threads so that when it pops loose it doesn't fly out. Good luck.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30955309@N06/5475408603/http://www.flickr.com/photos/30955309@N06/5475408603/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/30955309@N06/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30955309@N06/5476006716/http://www.flickr.com/photos/30955309@N06/5476006716/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/30955309@N06/, on Flickr

 

I have never changed a ball joint myself since I don't have the tools for it.

But when I had mine changed my alignment seemed fine, but when I went to get it aligned just in case the side that the ball joint was replaced on was pretty far off. So I would recommend getting an alignment after to save your tires.

 

changed mine last weekend, just used a hammer and socket to beat it out and hammered the new one in. Freeze the new balljoint to maybe make it "shrink" up a little and lubricate the knuckle when putting it in, every little bit counts. Much easier than i expected

 

I will start this task today -_- not really looking forward to it but im taking it to a shop that has all tools and they will let me use what ever I need. I have found some youtube videos to help me but well see since I never done it before just a bit intimidated lol.

 

its frowned upon, but I knocked them out with a hammer quite easily so I did not need a press to press them in, just used wood to spread out the impact of the blow to the ball joint. Oh dont forget to apply greese to the ball joint and the C-clip that comes with the replacement its a great "piece of mind" item. Like the other guys said no change other then you knowing your *hit is tip top.