The ball joints and outer tie rod boots were el stinky on the '97 CRV, so in the process of replacing them. I will take and post pictures later, but these lbj's suck. The guard on the knuckle really is in the way. Going to try a C-clamp tomorrow to press out the bad bj.

Any tips?

 

Aside from a shop press, usually I resort to some blocking and a hammer. Depending on the kind of rental tools your local parts store has, you may or may not be able to use them successfully and will have to resort to hammering anyways. A normal C-clamp will not give you anywhere near the pressure or correct angle to press them out.

Lower Ball Joint: I have a press, but usually just remove the snap ring (which can be a royal PITA) and grab my 3lb or 6lb hammer (no need for a sledge hammer here haha) and pound it out. You can hammer it back in as well but it will get a little damaged usually even if using wood. I have never had an issue from this on dozens of vehicles I have done it on. With that being said I usually press them back in. Just be sure to use wood blocking (cut up 2"x4"s and 4"x4"s) to support the funky knuckle (spindle) appropriately when hammering..

Upper Ball Joint: Same as LBJ, except for the fact that they are a LOT more springy. Be prepared for more effort here. A press is MUCH preferred for removal and installation although I have used the hammer method for removal and installation with success. Just make sure to support it as good as possible as close as possible or you may bend it. Use some screws and make a JIG if you have to, so you can keep the supports from falling away or over. A new complete upper control arm assembly is preferred though in my opinion, depending on cost difference of course if that is a concern.

 

I took the knuckles to NAPA and they pressed the old ones out and pressed the new ones in for $16. Way easier than fugging with it myself as I have no vice and no press.

I was under the impression you cannot change the upper ball joint, that you had to replace then entire control arm, so that is what I did. Brand new upper control arms installed.

So I wound up putting in new LBJs, new upper control arms, new outer tie rods, and when working on the passenger side the cv axle upper boot tore apart. I saw that there was massive grease splatter in the well, so that thing must have been cracked and shedding grease. I put in a re-manufactured cv axle as well.

And now the car won't start. Yay.

https://honda-tech.com/honda-element...start-3226027/