Is this something I can do myself? I need to replace 6 ball joints and since the labor for that would be over $150, I was wondering if I should just buy a press and do it myself. Harbor frieght has one for as little as $60(4 ton), but I just don't know how many tons of pressure i need. Also, is it a complete PITA to replace lower balljoints in the knuckle? Seems like it would be.

I was quoted $760 for labor and parts for both lower balljoints, 2 upper ball joints, and outer tie rod ends, but I just bought all those parts online for $100 shipped. Figure if I do all the labor myself I'm saving almost $700...

 

i watched a guy do this just the other day, he had an impact hammer and the car up on a lift, it looked like a bitch. I'd say its doable with a good BFH on your side, not sure i'd want to try it though.

 

well I'm pretty sure you can't replace a ball joint while on the car, which is why I'll be removing the knuckle. I just didn't know what's involved in replacing it with a press.

 

Well the easiest to do are the outer tie rods, all you need to do is take off the bolt that connects to the spindle, actually loosen the lock nut on the inner tie rod first, and then pull the outer tie rod out of the spindle (might take a little beating), and then just twist it out. As for ball joints, I believe that each of them has a Circular clip holding them, which you can probaly get loose with a snap ring plier. And then I think you use a air hammer to hammer it out, I'm not sure about this, so if I am incorrect someone please correct me.

 

yeah thanks, those parts seem to be easy. It's the pressing that seems a ilttle tricky, never did it before. If anyone knows for sure that you can change them without taking off the spindle, please inform me.

 

ttt

 

I pressed the bottom fronts in myself. pounded the **** outa them. IT works fine. as for everything else, new upper control arms and new steer rods would be the cheepest way to go..

 

Yeah I have a skunk2 camber kit so I have to replace the ball joints in teh upper arms.

I just didn't know you could replace them without a press. That makes a world of difference.

 

I have done it. Yeeehaaaa great fun (speaking in a sarcastic manor). I had a press of course, it was one of those autoparts store rentals 10.00 a day from napa.


[Modified by b16matt, 4:35 PM 1/31/2003]

 

Did you have to take out the knuckle to do this?

 

I need info to. I just f-ed mine up trying to get it loose from the LCA. Now the threads are all screwed up.

 

wait wait, you have skunk2 camber arms on right now? and you have to replace the balljoints on them??? ive got them also and i wanna know how long it has been since you've had them on ? i would assume the easiest thing for those would to just order another set of joints from skunk2. if you can.

 

When you are ready to press them in make sure that you throw the ball joint in the freezer the night before. And take out right before. It WILL make you job a lot easer! Good luck.

 

You don't need the knuckle off. You do need a hammer and patience. Make sure to get the clip off before you try to beat them out.

 

Sounds good guys, thanks. And Kenlude97, shoudl I lube them up too?

 

And while I'm at it one more question, where should I hammer them from, cause won't I mash the threads beating them from the bottom?

 

Oil is not gonna help much.... You can use it... Just don't expect them to drop right in.

 

Thanks yo, I'll definitely give that freezer thing a try

 

i tore the whole rubber piece off then hammered it out from the bottom. then i used a 32mm socket place it on top of the new ball joint then hammer it back in. thats what I did on my integra.

 

The upper ball joint (upper arm that the a arm connects to). As far as I know that one can't be pressed out, you have to replace the whole upper arm. My honda dealership told me I'd have to buy a whole new upper arm.

The bottom ball joint on the a arm is cake to get out.

There is a ring you need to pry out. It's right by the rubber. You'll know what I'm talking about when you look at it. Pull that ring out, and take a hammer (4 lbs hammer makes this easy as ****.) Then just knock the ball joint from the bottom and 4 good whacks will knock the ball joint out. Then get you new ball joint and hammer it down i use a round punch to get it even. 4 good whacks and it goes right in. Slide on the new ring which comes with the new ball joint. And you are done. 20 mins to do. I've redone both of mine. Easy as pie.

The ball joint on the enlinks of the steering rack. As far as I know those can't be knocked out either, and you have to replace the whole endlink. As far as I've read in my helms. Just loosen the bolt right behind the endlinks and you can unscrew it out, and put a new one on.

Hope that helps.


[Modified by Bumnah, 8:01 PM 2/5/2003]