I was going to install this kit this weekend, but while reading the Helm Guide I found that I need a ball joint remover. That stupid thing is $125!!
Does anyone have suggestions on how to do this without buying such an expensive specialty tool?

Thanks!

 

haha no way sust ******* beat it to death.

 

Rent one from your local auto parts store, O'Reilly's, Advance Auto Parts, Napa, etc...

 

what kind of guide? do they have a link?

 

Helm Guide. It's the factory service manual. If you have questions about something specific then sometimes people will scan pages of it for you. Otherwise, you can buy one from http://www.helminc.com, they are $60.


[Modified by RosebloodSol, 5:22 PM 12/1/2001]

 

Hmmm, I just installed my Skunk2 front camber kit and I didn't need a ball joint remover. I took off the two bolts holding the old upper control arm to the chassis, and the pin and bolt under the ball joint. Then I took the spring/shock assembly out by loosening the bolt holding the shock to the fork on the bottom and the two bolts connecting it to the chassis up top. The old upper control arm came out with a minimum of banging and pulling. After that and I put the pretty new Skunk2 arm in and bolted it all together.

I didn't use the Helms manual as a reference but it didn't seem apparent that I would need a special tool. Does anyone think its likely i did something incorrectly?

Everything seems fine but haven't brought it in for an alignment yet

 

They Helm Guide shows a special Honda tool, but you can use any ball joint seperator from what I can see.
One thing the Helm guide does say is that the bolts holding the upper control arm to the chassis should be replaced anytime they are removed, because they are self-locking bolts. I would be warry if you re-used those bolts.

I plan on doing my install this weekend if the weather holds out.

 

http://www.jcwhitney.com

Product: Ball Joint & Tie Rod End Remover
PN: 81ZX2149N
price: 17.00

It's universal ... it's got an 11/16 opening I believe.

 

I think that this should help, pretty much the same discussion over in the competition forum, just get past the top stuff to where they are talking about the tool.

https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=96445