Pressing out ball joints. (not seperating)
 

Hey guys I'm replacing my lower ball joint and was wondering if anyone has a write up or link to a write up on pressing out the ball joints on a 94-01 integra. Seperating them only took seconds using that pitman tool (a life saver). I really want to know if theres an easy tool I can use myself to remove and install the ball joint, or if I should just bring it to a machine shop and let them press it out and press the new one in? Thanks for the insight guys.

My story (for those who care):

I just recieved some new coilovers (skunk2 pro-c), so for the last couple weeks alot of people have been wanting rides too feel what all the hype is about. Of course I drive my car very had during the test drives. Well a couple days ago I went to make a U-turn and about half way into it my car suddenly made a crazy snap noise, and the passsenger side of the car about hit the ground. So I pulled over with the little bit of steering I had left. At first glance I thought maybe my control arm had lost a bolt since it was laying on my wheel after scraping the hell out of it. So I call my buddys, and they bring some tools, and we figure out that my ball joint snapped at the threads, and seperated itself from the lower control arm. Also since the ball joint seperated while I was driving my axle seperated a little and ripped the boots pretty good (I bookmarked the axle boot replacment thread, awesome write up). I havn't had the chance to check the axles well, so I don't know if there is further damage (I hope theres not).

I am planning on replacing both of my lower ball joints. I read on another forum that Auto Zone, etc. rental tools are too big to remove the ball joint without removing the knuckle. I also read that this tool has the clearance.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Tool-...spagenameZWDVW

95 Accord EX, 2.2., 4dr, abs, auto

http://i6.ebayimg.com/02/i/05/96/04/75_2.JPG

I dont know for certain if this particular car is like my 1991 civic but I need no special tools to replace the lower ball joints in my ride. If you look at where the bottom of the steering knuckle meets the lower ball joint there might be a clip there with two holes in it. if there is, give a good whack or two to the round area around the lower ball joint, then using circlip pliers, remove the clip and then tap the ball joint out of the steering knuckle. The driveshaft will have to be out of the steering knuckle. Ive replaced both lower ball joints this way in about 45 minutes.

for 92 up civics and tegs, i dont think they came with c-clips. i think they have tighter clearances. ive whacked them out before., sometimes the tool makes the job go alot faster.
the tool that we have at advance auto parts worked for my brothers 00' integra. just take off the boot and use the right pieces in the kit to make it work. i think i may have used a 1" deep well socket to help out. a machine shop only charged me 12 dollars to press out mine before i knew about the tool.

So I shouldn't need any extra tools to remove them? I also have a passenger side ball joint break, been driving around on it awhile, lucky I didn't have the wheel fold up though.