bacaandrew

YO!,

I am trying to remove the ball joints from my 96 4wd. I rented a tool from napa, looks like a beefy c clamp with some dies and adapters. I can see how it works, but the throat of the clamp is too small to fit over the top of the ball joint stud, and under the top part of the steering knuckle. In other words, I can't get the clamp around everything to push the joint out.

Has anyone had this problem? Is there another (bigger) tool I can use?
Thanks!

-Andrew

techrep

iTrader: (1)

You must of rented a Honda ball joint remover...there's bigger ones Yo...

bacaandrew

Thanks, Mark.

Should I be able to get the steering knuckle off of the truck after I remove the stud nuts? If so, I could just take the knuckle to a shop down the road and they could remove and re-press the new joints. I'm not sure if the knuckle will come off though.

-Andrew

techrep

iTrader: (1)

can't remember...my 96 has been gone for a few years now...maybe some body else will chime in on this for you. good luck Bro.

dr_bowtie

I wouldnt know about a ball joint tool I have never used one...I use a Vice and a mini-sledge...

getting them out is the hard part...putting them in is easy as pie...

freeze the ball joint and heat the spindle....you can put them in with your fingers....I do it all the time....

Fast Hampster

I used the tools i had to push it down and then I hit it with a hammer until it loosened

bacaandrew

I used the tools i had to push it down and then I hit it with a hammer until it loosened[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the photo...good idea to use that tool.

When I get home I thing I'll use a BFH and try to get the knuckle off of the axle. I also guess I could use my pickle fork to try and get it off.

Thanks,
Andrew

mitchalvin

To properly use a ball joint press you need to have the Knuckle out of the truck. The press is to remove and replace the joints in the knuckles. To remove the knuckles you need to remove the spindle and axles from the truck. If yours is like mine was a pickle fork makes the job easier.

jeepfan93

x2 dont use that till the knuckle is out. I just took a mini sledge and hit the upper ball joint till the whole knuckle came out. HF has the tools and a secondary tool kit that has a lot more adapters. But the basic kit will remove and install ball joints. one of my uppers would not budge even using an impact gun on the tool. Soooooo, out came a 9 inch piece of steel, and the sledge.

bacaandrew

YO!,

Last night my BFH and pickle fork got the steering knuckle off (with many swings). So I have a couple questions for y'all.

#1. As you can see, the old upper ball joint does not go low enough through the knuckle to accept a snap ring.


However, the new joint has a groove at the bottom for a snap ring, (and the new joint comes with one.) Both Car Quest and Napa confirm that this is the correct part, so do I just seat it to where the old one was and forget about the snap ring?


#2. It seems that the tool I rented is simply not big enough to press out the old upper joint, (or seat the replacement.) I guess I'll take them to a shop and have them press out the old and seat the new. For future reference, is there a tool available that will have a throat big enough to do this? (I'll have to do the driver's side pretty soon.)


Thanks to all who have helped on this one!