ok, i got everything apart according to the helms manual page 16-3. i got stuck at number 6.i could not get the knuckle to lower arm seperated.i went to my local advance auto and picked up a pitman ball joint puller.i get home and it doesn't even fit over the "pawls" on the lower arm.i ground it down so it would fit over.i start to tighten it up and it started to smash the bolt.(where the bolt has the holes through it for the cotter pin)i figured that i couldn't get it apart so i go to put the castle nut back on and b/c the bolt had started to smash the threads are all messed up.needless to say i got the nut back on but the next time it comes off it's not going back on.heres my question, what did i do wrong?is the ball joint shot, is that why it wouldn't seperate?it's obviously screwed now since i stripped the threads.could someone please explain why it wouldn't seperate and what new parts i should get. i will probally order from acuraautomotiveparts.net.how hard is it to remove the ball joint from the knuckle?sorry this is so long, but i read numerous posts about axle changes taking 30 mins.it never works that way for me.6 hrs today accomplished nothing except screwed up ball joint.

thanx so much for any help!
shawn

 

not sure if it makes too much of a difference, but I usually put a jack underneath the rotors and jack it up a little before using the ball joint remover.

 

All i did was hit the lower arm with a hammer, didnt hit anything else cuz i know what would happen and after hitting it enough it just poped off.

 

That's how the Honda tech's do it.

There's also the we-todd-did way. Debatable as to which one is quicker, but the we-todd-did way is less labour intensive.

 

BFH

 

so basiclly just pound down on the lower arm until it seperates?so jacking up the rotor takes some of the weight off of ball joint?this is the first ball joint i've ever tried to sperate, so i need to ask how do you re-assemble a ball joint?

thanx again
shawn

 

Don't hit it from the top....on the side is just fine.

See EG forum for a good, detailed how-to.

 

Heres one way that will keep your rubber boots from ripping. Use a jack and raise the rotor (Raising and lowering the rotor creates a gap between the knuckle and control arm). Then wedge your ball joint splitter using the side of it (anything will work, just something thick like a bar) between the knuckle and control arm at the point just before they meet. Then lower the jack. The idea here is to wedge the splitter so that it is sandwiched between the two things you are trying to seperate. Then jump on the top of the rotor with some care so you dont fall off and it should break free. hth