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Have yet to find a place around here that sells presses SO I know I can smack the BJ out but putting it in?. TSX knuckle so pretty much the same as a DC just a bigger BJ, tsx section is dead so pls don't move this. I'm not ordering one as I need it done this weekend other option is pay the dealership to do it.
yes you can. i use my bench vise to put in my balljoints. heating the knuckle and keeping the balljoint in the freezer helps. taking the boot off also helps a good amount. anyhow i usually put the balljoint in the knuckle by hand a bit to get it aligned. then ill put a big washer over the top of the bj, and a large deep socket over the bottom to allow for the threaded part to press in. basically just sandwich it in the vise and turn the handle. maybe a short pipe over the handle to ensure it gets some oomph behind it. idk if the one you have has a retaining clip, but once you get the clip groove to be exposed under the bottom of the knuckle to it can accept the clip your all done.
mine are OEM Honda, no clip but if I take the boot off all my grease will be exposed, as for heating it no OXY/ACL torch freezer yes. I have a decent bench vise but what do you mean a deep socket over the base? wouldn't that just push against you trying to squeeze it in?. My idea was to gently hit it in with a socket(22mm) over the head of it, into the hole where the old one was. Use oil on the metal skirt/knuckle sleeve? I did that to get my solid mounts in and it made a world of difference.
This tool can be rented at most auto parts stores. Spray the top of the ball joint with penetrating fluid, match up the sockets, position the clamp, start compressing the joint out, should be done in a matter of minutes.
mine are OEM Honda, no clip but if I take the boot off all my grease will be exposed, as for heating it no OXY/ACL torch freezer yes. I have a decent bench vise but what do you mean a deep socket over the base? wouldn't that just push against you trying to squeeze it in?. My idea was to gently hit it in with a socket(22mm) over the head of it, into the hole where the old one was. Use oil on the metal skirt/knuckle sleeve? I did that to get my solid mounts in and it made a world of difference.
Rent the tool...Canadian Tire or PartsSource should be able to help you out. Or bring the knuckles to a shop to remove and press the bj in for you.
You dont want to use oil to assist the installation of a ball joint because that oil will still be trapped once the bj is in place. They're meant to be pressed in dry in order to lock in securely. It's fine to use to help remove the old one, but you're supposed to clean it off afterwards.
Your method will likely either damage the new bj or mount it incorrectly in place. A ball joint wasn't meant to be hammered into place.
mine are OEM Honda, no clip but if I take the boot off all my grease will be exposed, as for heating it no OXY/ACL torch freezer yes. I have a decent bench vise but what do you mean a deep socket over the base? wouldn't that just push against you trying to squeeze it in?. My idea was to gently hit it in with a socket(22mm) over the head of it, into the hole where the old one was. Use oil on the metal skirt/knuckle sleeve? I did that to get my solid mounts in and it made a world of difference.
its just grease. wipe it out with a shop towel so dirt wont stick to it if your worried, then when u are done put more grease on it and re install the boot.
oxy/acetelyne is way overkill, all you need is a hand help propane or mapp gas torch.
on the bottom of the knuckle the threaded part of the balljoint has to pass down. using the socket which is hollow it allows you to "sandwich" the balljoint in the knuckle with the vice while allowing the threads to move downward as the bj seats in place. i wouldnt use oil on it especially since oem is press fit only i believe. after the old one comes out just clean out the empty spot on the knuckle with some fine grit sandpaper or scotchbrite.
whatever you do, dont hit the balljoint down from the top. the middle of the top of the balljoints is pretty soft and relatively thin. you could very easily punch through it allowing dirt in and grease out.
Well it turns out the ABS ring is stuck in there and it sits right over the middle of the BJ, it's too thin to pry. On a diagram it's called the "ring, knuckle" i'm not familiar enough with the TSX yet to start prying things. I'm already out both ABS sensors as they sit inside the knuckle and ould not come free. #1 not to be confused with the wheel bearing like on a DC
You're going to need to pry #1 out in order to get the balljoint out/in. Work it slowly in a circuar pattern from the outside edge it should come out easily. Just don't use a lot of force. That piece isn't for the abs, it's to seal the back side of the knuckle so your wheel bearing isn't exposed to the elements. Pretty sure your DC had them too, DAs do.
I ended up bringing it to Honda, they said that yes it was just the dust ring but I preferred to not cause more damage. They removed my old ABS sensors and put the new bj's in $80 out the door seemed good to me. From what I remember my 5 lug never did have that or it was pressed in much further on the DC.
Can you put in a ball joint with out a press?
