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Problem with lower ball joint using odyssey knuckles
Ball joint doesn’t back out bc wheel bearing is in the way.
So as I was about to bolt everything down for my 5-lug conversion. I noticed the castle nut wouldn’t screw on. Then I saw that the threads on the lower ball joint were cross threaded. So I decided to replace the ball joint but as I was backing it out it stopped. I’m guessing bc the wheel bearing is in the way. So I looked at my other knuckle and and it was the same way. You can’t back out the lower ball joint.
So I guess my question is, what do you all recommend I do? Do I need the wheel hub and bearing pressed out, then remove the ball joint, install new ball joint then have hub and bearing pressed in?
Re: Problem with lower ball joint using odyssey knuckles
Just unbolt the hub and tap it (or press it if rusted solid) out of the knuckle. I would loosen each hub bolt about a turn and tap the head with a lead hammer.
Re: Problem with lower ball joint using odyssey knuckles
That's really strange. In the first pic it's clearly hitting on the knuckle not the wheel bearing. I'm wondering if they got the wrong ball joints in there or somehow they need to be turned to clear the knuckle when pushed out. See if you can grab the ball joint and spin it so it has the ability to clear the knuckle.
Re: Problem with lower ball joint using odyssey knuckles
Originally Posted by holmesnmanny
That's really strange. In the first pic it's clearly hitting on the knuckle not the wheel bearing. I'm wondering if they got the wrong ball joints in there or somehow they need to be turned to clear the knuckle when pushed out. See if you can grab the ball joint and spin it so it has the ability to clear the knuckle.
Re: Problem with lower ball joint using odyssey knuckles
Interesting, its hard for me to tell if that lip is part of the knuckle or the bearing? I'm inclined to think as said above you need to get the bearing out, then the ball joint.
Re: Problem with lower ball joint using odyssey knuckles
The groove above the ball joint is there, however, on the bearing side, there isn't a groove there to allow the balljoint to be pushed out without the bearing being pressed out. I think I'm going to look at some 6th gen V6 accords to compare the knuckles.
Re: Problem with lower ball joint using odyssey knuckles
Yeah it really looks like you need to get the wheel bearing out, then replace the ball joint. I have a set of knuckles from a v6 laying around at home waiting for a brake swap, I will try and remember to take a look, although I already removed the wheel bearing.
Re: Problem with lower ball joint using odyssey knuckles
Originally Posted by Kevs02Accord
Yeah it really looks like you need to get the wheel bearing out, then replace the ball joint. I have a set of knuckles from a v6 laying around at home waiting for a brake swap, I will try and remember to take a look, although I already removed the wheel bearing.
I appreciate it. I picked up some knuckles from the V6 6th gen accord. The ball joint with bearing present has all the clearance I need to swap out ball joints. The ball joints on V6 knuckles look to be in OK condition but I figured I'd replace them out for some Hardrace roll center adjuster (extended ball joint).
Re: Problem with lower ball joint using odyssey knuckles
Here’s some pics for anyone interested
Here’s the 6th gen V6 knuckles. I was able to knock out the ball joint fairly easily. Notice the groove up to the wheel bearing.
A side by side comparison of the 1st gen odyssey knuckle and the 6th gen Accord V6
Re: Problem with lower ball joint using odyssey knuckles
I know back in Auto Tech, we ran into this problem too. We notched (not too much) the wheel bearing just enough to get the ball joint out.
I'm also using the 95-98 Odyssey knuckles on my '94 Accord. But I did the ball joints, wheel bearings all at the same time, so I didn't run into that issue.
Re: Problem with lower ball joint using odyssey knuckles
The Gen 6 knuckles have the bearing pressed into them, on the Gen 5 / Odyssey knuckles the bearing is bolted to the knuckles via a housing. Just remove the housing.
Problem with lower ball joint using odyssey knuckles
