I just got my new b16a in and I had to use a pickle fork to split my ball joint apart from my lower control arm when pulling my old axles. Well I split the rubber boot in the process . I have to replace both lower ball joints. Once I remove the "C "split ring off on the bottom , do I just pound out the old one? is it a bitch>?


Modified by civicciviccivic at 6:26 PM 4/27/2003

 

if you just cracked the boot now, itll be fine. just buy a new boot from the dealer for like $5 and replace it. repack with new grease too and it should be good unless it was previously damaged. no need to replace the whole joint.

 

if you're going to replace it.. just pound it out.. mine come out with some good hits..

good luck

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by madeiniraq &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if you're going to replace it.. just pound it out.. mine come out with some good hits..

good luck
</TD></TR></TABLE>
same here

 

I just did mine a couple days ago. Used a deep socket that fit over the shaft, a few good whacks and it came right out. Used another socket under it on the vise to drive the new one in with a block of wood. Good luck.

 

1)take off the c-clip
2)Penetrating grease
3)use an impact socket to get a nice surface to smack it out with a huge hammer

 

Sorry to jump in your tread, but I have a question regarding the lower ball joint.
How would you know when you need to replace it? Is there a symptom you should look for? I also tore my boot a while back and just left it alone. Just wondering if I should replace the boot or the whole joint. How would I know which one?
Thanks.

 

just grab a hold of your wheel and shake like hell. If it clicks or rocks back and forth It probably has to be replaced. I just put a b16a swap in my 89 CRX DX and to get the old axles out and the new ones in, I had to split the lower ball joint away from the control arm. When I did this I split the rubber boot. Ball joints were shitty anyway so I just replaced them. 1st I pulled old boot completely off. 2nd I removed "C" clip. 3RD I removed the tie rod from the stering of of the spindle, this is so I could spin the spindle all the way around to get a good wack when I pounded out the old one. 4TH I then hit the old ball joint around the bottom rim with a good old fashion M.C. Hammer. They popped out after beating the **** out of them. I then put the new ones in and tapped them in with a block on top. P&gt;S&gt; IF you are replaceing lower ball joint, remove the wheel bearing cap above the ball joint, this will allow you to pop the old one out. IF your boot is torn and the joint seems fucked up, it is better to replace it than to **** your car up in an accident later on down the line! It really was not that hard. It cost me 52 dollars for two new ball joints one for each side from autozone. the mechanic shop wanted 180 to install. do it your self save big $$$$$$