changing ball joints ?'s?

[JeremyL]

I just recently changed the ball joints on my MX6 and it was a piece of cake cuz it was one piece right in with the control arms. Now I'm being told that the lower ball joint is in the steering knuckle and is not part of the LCA. Is this true? If so then is this an easily removed part without power tools or some kind of special service tool? Also it looks like there is some kind of ball joint attaching the UCA to the wishbone but it doesnt seem like it comes all the way through like a tie rod end...how is that part serviced? Any help is appreciated

[Oldblueaccord]

I just recently changed the ball joints on my MX6 and it was a piece of cake cuz it was one piece right in with the control arms. Now I'm being told that the lower ball joint is in the steering knuckle and is not part of the LCA. Is this true? If so then is this an easily removed part without power tools or some kind of special service tool? Also it looks like there is some kind of ball joint attaching the UCA to the wishbone but it doesnt seem like it comes all the way through like a tie rod end...how is that part serviced? Any help is appreciated

If I am understanding your question for third generation Honda accords

The lower ball joint is press into the steering arm. Yes you probably need to remove it(arm) and get a new ball joint pressed in. The big nut needs to come off the CV shaft etc.

The upper ball joint is all in one on that arm. You buy the whole thing. There are rubber bushings with that bolt that goes thru it you might want to replace those also. There about $60-80 at the dealership.


wp

[JeremyL]

well ive done a fair amount of suspension work on several different cars myself, is this something i could fairly easily do with hand tools?

[Oldblueaccord]

well ive done a fair amount of suspension work on several different cars myself, is this something i could fairly easily do with hand tools?

the upper yeah is easy

the lower that CV nut can be a bitch even with a good air rachet and Im pretty sure you have to get the ball joint pressed out. Im looking for someone to chime in and say the were able to just hammer it out but i doubt it could be done that way.

wp

[SteveDX89]

I've heard it can be hammered out and I even tried it. I was never able to get it out. I had to have them pressed out.

[Oldblueaccord]

I've heard it can be hammered out and I even tried it. I was never able to get it out. I had to have them pressed out.

Like on domestic's where the ball joint is pointing up (like say old chevy trucks) i have like air hammered them out but on our car your hammering up for on thing I cant see it being easy.

You could just grab a whole arm from a jay yard if your in a pinch for time and its your DD. get the ball joint changed then swap parts. The alignment doesnt change less you mess with the tie -rod. its a "set the toe and let it go" set up as we used to say.


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[Vinny]

I hammered all 4 of the ones I changed out. Put the Knuckle in a vise, pop off the rear knuckle ring (part 2), release the circlip (19) and use a socket that fits just over the edge of the balljoint. Beat it out then beat the new one in. Easy money, or atleast on 2 southern accords it was

[Vinny]

Like on domestic's where the ball joint is pointing up (like say old chevy trucks) i have like air hammered them out but on our car your hammering up for on thing I cant see it being easy.

You could just grab a whole arm from a jay yard if your in a pinch for time and its your DD. get the ball joint changed then swap parts. The alignment doesnt change less you mess with the tie -rod. its a "set the toe and let it go" set up as we used to say.


wp

'
I agree with the junk yard idea. Which remind me since I sold my spare set I need to pick up another set at the pull a part. Thats the best way to do it since you'll have minimal downtime and if you get into a pinch getting the ones off the spare set you can always drive to a shop and have them pressed out

[HostileJava]

I know there is a joke somewhere in here about beating your balljoints, but I guess I'll let it go. I tried that on mine Vinny and for the life of me I couldn't get them out. I guess I'm just to weak :P

[Oldblueaccord]

I hammered all 4 of the ones I changed out. Put the Knuckle in a vise, pop off the rear knuckle ring (part 2), release the circlip (19) and use a socket that fits just over the edge of the balljoint. Beat it out then beat the new one in. Easy money, or atleast on 2 southern accords it was

I was talking about in the car meaning less disassembly, Using a vise is cheating good glad it can be done.


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[Vinny]

heres an idea...............

https://www.3geez.com/showthread.php?t=15...t=balljoint%2A

Link to the how to

[EricW]

When did mine i went to auto zone and got a ball joint press thru their loan-a-tool program and did mine. Then all you have to do is return the press and get your money back i think it was about a hundred dollars.

[guambomb]

i tried to change my rear upper control arm a couple months ago because the ball joint rusted out...damn...took me about 10 hours plus 4 people and extra tools...then just recently the left side rusted out and my dad had a friend change it in less than an hour...the guy even hammered the ball joint out using wd40 and a hammer...sucked to be me that day..

[MrBen]

You could just grab a whole arm from a jay yard if your in a pinch for time and its your DD. get the ball joint changed then swap parts. The alignment doesnt change less you mess with the tie -rod. its a "set the toe and let it go" set up as we used to say.


wp

That's what I did for one of mine, it worked out nicely