Need to replace ball joints. lil help!
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: longwood, FL
Need to replace ball joints. lil help!
Sorry to admins about originally posting in DIY section. BTW I think you should add a suspension tech forum along with the engine & audio one.
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).
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).
On permanent hiatus
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 9,716
Likes: 0
From: A forum with actual tech
There isn't enough traffic to justify another tech specific forum, unfortunately.
You can beat the ball joints in and out with a BFH. That is how I replaced mine since I don't want to pay a machine shop to do something I could do myself.
The axle will have to be rebuilt for sure. The inner joint coming out like that needs to be repacked and put back in properly assuming no damage was done to it.
You can beat the ball joints in and out with a BFH. That is how I replaced mine since I don't want to pay a machine shop to do something I could do myself.
The axle will have to be rebuilt for sure. The inner joint coming out like that needs to be repacked and put back in properly assuming no damage was done to it.
Last edited by Provocateur; Dec 2, 2007 at 09:24 AM.
www.ufc.com
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,920
Likes: 0
From: Irvine CA
There isn't enough traffic to justify another tech specific forum, unfortunately.
You can beat the ball joints in and out with a BFH. That is how I replaced mine since I don't want to pay a machine shop to do something I could do myself.
The axle will have to be rebuilt for sure. The inner joint coming out like that needs to be repacked and put back in properly assuming no damage was done to it.
You can beat the ball joints in and out with a BFH. That is how I replaced mine since I don't want to pay a machine shop to do something I could do myself.
The axle will have to be rebuilt for sure. The inner joint coming out like that needs to be repacked and put back in properly assuming no damage was done to it.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: longwood, FL
Well I removed and installed the ball joint today. It took about 15 mins and was quite easy. I used a BFH for the removal process, and a ball joint press for the install. I also took pics, so I can show people how to press out a ball joint using rented tools from autozone. I'll write a DIY thread in a week.
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: North Florida
Well I removed and installed the ball joint today. It took about 15 mins and was quite easy. I used a BFH for the removal process, and a ball joint press for the install. I also took pics, so I can show people how to press out a ball joint using rented tools from autozone. I'll write a DIY thread in a week.
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: North Florida
On the subject of balljoints and proper removal ive never been a big fan of beating them apart. (although have done on many occasions) I understand the principle of the "ball joint splitter" but was hoping someone could explain how this tool pictured below works. Its the OTC Honda Lower Ball Joint Tool Set. Even if its a big pain in the butt compared to a BH im still curious as to how it works. 
