it looks hell of like the RSX....but the steering ball joint thing...i cant get it to pull down... what do i have to do to get it off?

 

if you don't have a ball joint remover, smack the top of the shock with a hammer, that should jar it loose. I've noticed this an an issue on most EP/RSX's I've done.

-Victor

 

.. ...i realllly dont get it. its ******* got like 1600 miles on it... and its hell of hard to get off..

 

try a rubber hammer like 97 TYPE-R 312 said...it should work...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by al3e &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">.. ...i realllly dont get it. its ******* got like 1600 miles on it... and its hell of hard to get off.. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats why, the first time is usually the hardest.
Try this, hit both sides of the STRUT around the tie rod(dont hit the tie rod) with a hammer.
Then, loosen the nut flush to the bolt, so you can hit it upward with a hammer.
Now, you have to be CAREFUL not to hit the thread and dont hit it to many times.
If it doesnt come out the first 3 hits, then you get yourself a ball joint separator.

 

If there is a Harbor Frieght tool store in your area, they have a pitman arm/tie rod puller for $4.99... the exact same one that is 9.99 in most Autozone-type stores. It worked perfectly. Looks like a steel claw with a bolt in the middle.

 

...ive been using the ball joint remover or whatever ..and i think i popped ... a berring or something whatever the little black thing around the joint is.. now theres like a lubricant all over the place.. anyother tips. its raining right now so i cant go out there right now but i will asap thanks for all the help guys

 

...go to your local autozone, advanced auto, etc and rent the proper tool. Return the tool get your money back. Simple, easy and a lot less likely to mess up something

 

It looks like the boot is torn, and the grease is leaking out. Those wishbone style separators are pieces of ****. Get one of these:

You will need to replace that boot, and grease the joint.

 

Yeah it's justa rubber boot filled with grease. Did the same thing on my ITR. And ofcourse the part had to be ordered as it wasn't a normally stocked item. I used the same type of tool you did

 

for future referance, you see the bar in the picture that you posted that connects to the drive arm?

shaped one coming from the left side of the strut? hit that with a hammer about 30 times (dont slam the heck outa it) just pound it normally and it will make itself loose. ive done suspension installs on 7thgen civics and rsx's and thats the way to do it without damaging anything. you'll see dont be afraid you wont break or damage anything. you'll know once its loose because you can simply tap the bottom of the ball joint assembly and it will easily lift out of the strut =]

 

get a tool like this


called a pitman tool
should be 20-30 bucks at autozone

 

Dan, thats the exact thing I was talking about that I got at Harbor Frieght for $4.99 It works perfectly, without even touching the ball-joint boot.