Honda/Acura painless ball joint separation

Pain free method of removing a Acura Integra lower ball joint using a craftsman 1/2" drive ratchet placed between the hub and lower control arm.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Honda
• Acura
• Integra
• Ball
• Joint
• Ratchet

[storyb23]

this is an awesome technique....... but is there an easy way to get it back in???? is the question.

[bprower2]

@storyb23 Yep, just put the castle nut back on and then crank it down with a wrench. It'll pull itself back in.

[digitaldonhill]

Dude, you are a LIFE SAVER! I've been battling a '90 Civic with bad wheel bearings for DAYS (I think I may even have broken a fingertip while trying to bang the ball joint out with a 6lb hammer!). Using your method I had the hub assy out inside of 5 minutes! If you're ever in Northern California (I mean WAY up North - Fortuna to be exact), I'll gladly buy you an adult beverage of your choice! I often end up going the "MacGyver" route when working on cars. Things NEVER go the way the manual sez!

[bprower2]

@digitaldonhill Thanks man! Glad it could help you out. Doubt i'll get up there for a beer, but I do some mountaineering so you never know.

[OnTheBall20]

Can someone explain what is going on here (nice and slowly) because I can't make it out from the video? Will this work on most lower balljoints or only Hondas? I always have trouble with lower balljoint; usually take off the wishbone instead.

[bprower2]

@OnTheBall20 a 1/2" drive craftsmen wrench is placed between the hub assembly and the lower control arm. Then pressure is placed on the top of the hub which causes the gap between the lower control arm and the hub to get smaller (without a wrench there). With the wrench being there it causes the lower control arm to pop free from the hub. It may work on more cars other than honda/acura, it just depends on the design of the hub/lca.

[bprower2]

@PsychoFreke I was using a ball joint separator cup, it compresses the bolt and that's what caused the damage. I was not using a pickle fork, although they usually tear the boots.

[TsmnnDvl5]

An air hammer works just as well too, then again, a couple a blows with a hammer and the ball joint pops right out. Encountered a few stubborn ones, hammer to loosen then the air hammer finished the job. :)

[storyb23]

@bprower2 oh i would be more concerned with the upper ball joint..... an easy method of getting that out?

[storyb23]

@bprower2 I was suspecting that... that makes that part easy. I might be able to cut labor costs completely if I figure out how to do the top joint.

[jokervrs]

You sir are chuck norris.

[bchang378]

@jonnythisartist: Yup. The ball joint has a tapered seat and the weight of the knuckle presses down on the taper to keep it from spinning. If it does spin while tightening, the threads are probably dirty or damaged. Run a tap through the castle nut and die the ball joint if you can....worst-case is you'll have to replace the ball joint. I usually keep 1 or 2 spares.

[micagas]

@bprower2 thank you , i was lost there! now that you explained it helped me, lets si if i can do it work it to me too

[MrChris21012]

Great tip. just did this and it worked great. alot better than hammering away at a stubborn ball joint smashing up the dust shield and working alot harder than you need to.