seperating lower ball joint - Honda-Acura.net

spaz · 12-21-03, 12:14 AM

ok, so i'm having the hardest time getting the lower ball joint out of the lca on my integra. a few months back when i replaced my clutch, i just used a bfh and whacked on the lca, and it popped right out. now i have tried the bfh on the lca, tried pickle fork, got frustrated and bfh'ed the bottom of the ball joint. nothing is working. it hasnt even budged, as far as i can tell. i'm out of ideas. someone help me please

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**Nightshade** · 12-21-03, 10:45 PM

Grab a pickle fork or borrow one (they are about 10 bucks) and a BFH and have at it.

Its not always the easiest process but a few good whacks with the BFH should pop that sucker clean off.

firebane · 12-22-03, 05:37 AM

hahah BFH! Thats what I had todo.. BFH and a pickle fork

Jafro · 12-31-03, 03:46 AM

You can do this without a pickle fork. once you get it in the air with the wheels turned away from the side you're working on, the wheel off and the, and the car on jackstands...

1. remove the cotter pin and nut from the lower ball joint
2. get someone with a 3' pry bar to pry down on the swing arm from the subframe of the car
3. BFH the hell out of the joint from the side being careful not to hit your friend

it will pop loose after a few good whacks and you're not going to hurt it like this.

this way, you don't tear the lower ball joint boot like you will with a pickle fork; thus, you won't be forced to replace that part. all you'll need is a new cotter pin, a big pry-bar, and someone that's not afraid of you swinging the BFH.

westcoaststyle · 12-31-03, 04:20 PM

I only tore one boot ever with a pickle fork. If you make sure to get it below the boot, you're good.

You could always get a two prong separator. Or a bolt style ball joint separator...

Many tools available to get the job done.

bambbrose · 01-12-04, 12:21 AM

besides tearing the boot the pickle fork can damage the ball joint itself, I wouldn't recommend it.. the best way is what Jafro mentioned... thats how most techs do it

12-21-03, 10:45 PM	#2
Nightshade un-Touch'd krew Join Date: May 2001 Location: My own level of hell Posts: 48,925	Grab a pickle fork or borrow one (they are about 10 bucks) and a BFH and have at it. Its not always the easiest process but a few good whacks with the BFH should pop that sucker clean off. __________________ www.dinofuelalternatives.com Contact me for all your brick needs...I have a brick for just such an occasion. "When governments fear people, there is liberty. When the people fear the government, there is tyranny." -Thomas Jefferson- "I'll keep my money, guns and freedom. You can keep the "Change."

12-31-03, 03:46 AM	#4
Jafro I'm made of meat! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 3,484	You can do this without a pickle fork. once you get it in the air with the wheels turned away from the side you're working on, the wheel off and the, and the car on jackstands... 1. remove the cotter pin and nut from the lower ball joint 2. get someone with a 3' pry bar to pry down on the swing arm from the subframe of the car 3. BFH the hell out of the joint from the side being careful not to hit your friend it will pop loose after a few good whacks and you're not going to hurt it like this. this way, you don't tear the lower ball joint boot like you will with a pickle fork; thus, you won't be forced to replace that part. all you'll need is a new cotter pin, a big pry-bar, and someone that's not afraid of you swinging the BFH. __________________ Jafro My 1995 Eclipse GSX (pictures) - 12.20 ET - 12.42 ET - 12.47 ET vs. Z06 Corvette - 324awhp 1991 Dodge Colt GL (pictures) - Colt chassis - engine donor - AWD trans donor - 4g63t tear-down - 4g63t reconditioning - 4g63t longblock assembly 1999 Ford F-150

12-31-03, 04:20 PM	#5
westcoaststyle Still here... sorta... Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: CO Posts: 17,177	I only tore one boot ever with a pickle fork. If you make sure to get it below the boot, you're good. You could always get a two prong separator. Or a bolt style ball joint separator... Many tools available to get the job done. __________________ 2008 Lexus IS 350 - Starfire White 1999 Ford Explorer 4x4 Sport View My Feedbacks & ADD TO THEM!!!

01-12-04, 12:21 AM	#6
bambbrose eghatch.org Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Utah Posts: 1,881	besides tearing the boot the pickle fork can damage the ball joint itself, I wouldn't recommend it.. the best way is what Jafro mentioned... thats how most techs do it __________________ 1996 Civic DX coupe----SOLD 1995 Civic DX hatch----JDM B16 ...RIP... 1992 Civic si hatch, black, B18b1 swap, Si wheels, 50k original miles. -----SOLD----- 1989 CRX DX, project build my little sis her first car 1987 Suzuki Samurai----winter beater, G13k DOHC 16V MPFI swap. GTI powered New project in progress, 93 white cx, 8pt cage, k24A2 w/X2M5 trans swap. Building the perfect track car

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12-22-03, 05:37 AM	#3
firebane Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 1,800	hahah BFH! Thats what I had todo.. BFH and a pickle fork