So I finally got the new to me del sol degreased enough to really look at what needed replacing.

I need to replace:
upper and lower ball joints
wheel bearings
axles
inner and outer tie rods
rack boots

Reading through manuals and posts everything looks pretty straight forward.
I have a 12 ton press, so that should help.

Questions:
The knuckle rings, are they reusable or do I need a set when I do the bearings?
Are they Honda only parts? I can't seem to find them anywhere else.

Any thing else I should change while I have it apart?

Any reason not to use a fork to separate the ball joints, considering none will be reused.

 

I'm getting ready to so the same thing on my civic. I can't answer about the rings yet, but yes you can use a fork to seperate your ball joints since there not being reused. Worst case scenario is you will probably get your fork greasy. If your very careful you can even use a fork to seperate joints that you're going to keep.

 

If you have time order from Rock Auto and get Moog or 555 parts they have balljoints, get the entire upper control arm because it comes with a ball joint and they also have tie rods. I ordered all parts from RA about 5 months ago, and it was definitely cheaper than the local parts store just had to wait 4-5 days for everything to ship.

#Dont hammer out ball joints, it will not work. Use the pickle fork or lower the car to the ground and use the weight of the car to push the lower ball joint out ( I use the pickle fork method).

#Spray paint or mark the position of the nut on the inner side of the tie rod when replacing as well as count the number of turns when you take the old one off, this will keep the wheel from being too far out of alignment.

#For the lower ball joint I rented a ball joint press with the Honda/Acura adapter from Autozone, around $2xx and change upfront but its just a deposit. Its really a c-clamp with adapters

#If your a visual learner just use google, there is a video for everything Honda

 

Replace the entire UCA. New ball joints+ bushings.

OEM lower ball joints. ~$30 each.

Timkin or OEM bearings.

Axles, parts store replacements.

OEM or Moog inner and outer tie rods.

While you are in there consider replacing the lower control arm bushings.

 

Well the good thing is, I have nothing but time on this. I have 3 other vehicles to drive.

Ordered many parts last night. The only things I still need are 2 exhaust seals (I'm dropping the pipe for the oil pan gasket) and the axles. Cheaper to source local due to shipping cost.

 

In my opinion, this is the ball joint separating tool you'll want to purchase. It won't damage the boot.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-qua...tor-99849.html

 

Ron,
i agree that is the correct separator, and was planning to pick one up next time I was at the store. But since I was planning on replacing all three ball joints (upper, lower, and tie rod end) i was curious if there was anything that would preclude using a pickle fork if i can't get by the store. Working 7:30 am to 8:30 pm this week. All my parts are due here by Saturday.

 

BTW what's with the name they use.

 

The pickle fork should be fine as long as you are okay with damaging the boots of the ball joints. I'm assuming you don't mind because you are installing new ball joints anyway.

 

What do you mean?

 

They call it a Ball POINT Joint Separator.

I always heard it without the word Point.

 

Haha...I never noticed that. I don't know.

The key feature of the tool is the thin flat surface that, when greased, slides underneath the ball joint boot to avoid damage. Then the lower lever slowly applies upward pressure on the ball joint nut to separate the ball joint. Not sure where the Point comes in.

 

For me at least, if I am taking off the ball joint I am going to replace it.
I use a big fork. Granted Ron is nicer if you want to take your time and reuse the ball joint.