replacing rhf cv boots

[accord1989]

hello, Im trying to replace the rhf inner and outer cv boots on my honda accord 1989 si 2L but still can't access the shaft because the lower control arm wont come off, does anyone know how to take this off so i can access the shaft? here is a photo :
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/6536/lowerarm.th.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/lowerarm.jpg/)

[A18A]

hammer the control arm to shock it loose (put the nut loosely back on just in case you miss the control arm). after a hard hit, or a few, you should be able to just lift it off

[stephensimmons]

hammer the control arm to shock it loose (put the nut loosely back on just in case you miss the control arm). after a hard hit, or a few, you should be able to just lift it off

Do what he said OR you could go to the parts store and get you a tie rod/ball joint seperator and get it loose.

[accord1989]

i just tried with the hammer and im real strong it didnt even budge ??? Isn't there a special tool for this that will definately work ?

[stephensimmons]

i just tried with the hammer and im real strong it didnt even budge ??? Isn't there a special tool for this that will definately work ?

Yes its called a ball joint seperator

[A18A]

oh i forgot to say to hit the side of the control arm.. did you do that? would probably be easier if you had the shock bolted to the control arm too. i suppose another way could be to put the wheel back on and drop the car violently lol. or just get a special tool like stephen said

[Hauntd ca3]

it looks like you have the shock off, so put it back on.
its needed for how i do it.
put the nut back on the ball joint a few turns so you dont fuck it hitting it with a hammer.
get a trolley jack and use it to lift up on the bottom of the bit that the wheel mounts to, the bit of the disc that pokes out from the disc is teh bit i mean.
lift up on it enuf to put some load on the spring.
then get a BFH and hit the arm where the ball joint spindle pokes through,just dont hit teh spindle.
if you get it right,with the spring helping by pushing the arm down and the jack is pushing up, the shock of the hammer hit deforms the spindle hole just enough that it comes loose and the combined forces of the jack and spring push it apart enough that you just wind the nut off the end and shes done.
the arm spindle hole dosnt deform permanently , just for the split second when you hit it with the hammer. i use a 36 oz hammer and it works pretty well

[stat1K]

i bought one of these, http://cgi.ebay.com/HBM-HEAVY-DUTY-BALL-JOINT-SPLITTER-SEPERATOR_W0QQitemZ370157574007QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment?hash=item562f1c5777

best 30 dollars i ever spent.

[accord1989]

thanks put the shock on and hit it with a hammer downwards and it came off :) do i need to remove the spindle nut to get to the axle ? which way do i turn it ?
http://img710.imageshack.us/img710/7637/18042010017.th.jpg (http://img710.imageshack.us/i/18042010017.jpg/)

[Accordian88]

yes you need to remove that nut. it will take a 32 mm socket i think. turn it counter-clockwise or to the left. the manual says to replace the spindle nut. i didn't,i just hit it with a screwdriver when i got it back on.

[accord1989]

well i tried the whole wheel turned even with the brakes down ?

[2drSE-i]

It is a 32mm socket and it is normally threaded. Lefty loosey!

By the by, my dad has an impact chisel + pickel fork = Ball joints come off in 10 seconds or less.

[accord1989]

looks like i have to put the wheel back on then take off the nut lol

[Accordian88]

stick a screwdriver in the rotor or something. it is hard to break loose.

[LX-incredible]

Break that nut with the wheel attached, on the ground. No point in damaging your tools or brakes to save 30 seconds.

Stat1k's tool is an excellent choice for the balljoints; However, a small amount of the tool will need to be ground off to access everything. A pickle fork will almost always result in damage to the balljoint or boot. A few strong hits with the hammer on the side of the spindle/LCA where the balljoint stud seats will ease removal and put less stress on whatever removal tool you choose. Never hammer on the balljoints or their studs.

[Accordian88]

i stand corrected.

[Dr_Snooz]

A pickle fork will almost always result in damage to the balljoint or boot.

Second that. You're not saving any time by destroying your ball joint boots. I carry a pickle fork at the junkyard, but that's the only place.

[2drSE-i]

Second that. You're not saving any time by destroying your ball joint boots. I carry a pickle fork at the junkyard, but that's the only place.

Third that, mine were destroyed. It was only an option because i had ALL new ball joints going in.

[accord1989]

so hmmm is it really bad if the ball joint boot is broken or can i just say oh that'll be ok for today? lol

as you can see in here , i dont think its torn just squashed up ?

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/6536/lowerarm.th.jpg (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/lowerarm.jpg/)

[carotman]

Here's the best trick to remove the lower balljoint

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISY8bGof3bQ

Stick a ratchet or socket extension between the lower arm and the knuckle.

No damage to the boot, no pain, no swearing.


You can leave it without a boot but not for long. I wouldn't drive it except to get a new boot from the dealer. This is a critical suspension part in term of security.

[A18A]

edit: nevermind

[Dr_Snooz]

Here's the best trick to remove the lower balljoint

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISY8bGof3bQ

Stick a ratchet or socket extension between the lower arm and the knuckle.

No damage to the boot, no pain, no swearing.


You can leave it without a boot but not for long. I wouldn't drive it except to get a new boot from the dealer. This is a critical suspension part in term of security.

That is genius!

[nfs480]

I prefer using a Pitman Tie Rod puller to separate the lower ball joint, no risk of damage to the ball joint, available in the loan-a-tool at any autoparts store, and literally takes 30 seconds and is easy as pie.

[accord1989]

edit: nevermind
edit: nevermind

[accord1989]

finally got it out removing the spindle with the wheel on was easy. now i am trying to replace the both cv boots here it is :
http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/8747/22042010022.th.jpg (http://img682.imageshack.us/i/22042010022.jpg/)
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3217/22042010019.th.jpg (http://img99.imageshack.us/i/22042010019.jpg/)

[accord1989]

how do i put the new boots on the shaft i dont see how to get them on? it was easy to cut the old ones off!

[stephensimmons]

how do i put the new boots on the shaft i dont see how to get them on? it was easy to cut the old ones off!

put the cv axle in a vise then hold the spline in of the joint it your hand and pull on it while hitting the back of the joint(where the big end of the boot mounts at) with a hammer. dont try to break it but you gota hit it pretty good because theres a snap ring holding the joint on axle.

[accord1989]

k all done thanks just held it face down and hit it with a hammer, just wandering can i reuse the snap ring on the spider end (inner joint)? also what are some other ways for taking off the snap rings ?

[lostforawhile]

why not get a set of snap ring pliers? and don't drive it to the dealer without the boot on there, that would make a lot of sense,take off the boot, put it all back together, drive it to the dealer while grinding road grit into the joint, take it all back apart, put the boot on, and put it back together again.

[lostforawhile]

i bought one of these, http://cgi.ebay.com/HBM-HEAVY-DUTY-BALL-JOINT-SPLITTER-SEPERATOR_W0QQitemZ370157574007QQcmdZViewItemQQptZ UK_Hand_Tools_Equipment?hash=item562f1c5777

best 30 dollars i ever spent.a ten dollar pitman arm puller will remove the tie rod ends,or ball joints on every Honda i've run across. and it's smaller to fit in tight spaces.

[accord1989]

why not get a set of snap ring pliers? and don't drive it to the dealer without the boot on there, that would make a lot of sense,take off the boot, put it all back together, drive it to the dealer while grinding road grit into the joint, take it all back apart, put the boot on, and put it back together again.
lol yeh i'll buy a pair of pliers :)

[Accordian88]

the pitman arm puller is a good idea. have fun!:thumbup: