ok, changed my balljoints this weekend, so im gonna make a diy
tools needed:
torque wrench
1/2" impact
air hammer
ball joint sperator instert for air hammer
^^ not needed, but makes things easier
3/8" ratchet x2
set of sockets, metric
ball joints
hammer
pry bar
jack stands
jack
1 and 1/4" socket(axle nut)
ball joint c clamp
anti-seize
ok, parts needed(honda part numbers)
ball joints - 51220-s5a-30 - x2
lower castle nut cotter pin- 90701-sx0-003 - x2
spindle nut(axle nut) - 90305-692-010
castle nut - 90363-s47-000 - x2
ok, first step, jack up car at specified jacking points, and suspend with jack stands(dont forget to loosen lugs first). remove wheel, then ull be here...
after you have done this, remove the axle nut with the 1.25" socket(this may be fairly difficult without an impact, but it is possible), then use a hammer on the end of the axle, to free it from its seat in the bearing, then remove the caliper and bracket in one piece, and it will look like this:
then, remove the two bolts that hold the strut to the knuckle(pictured below) and pull the knuckle free from the strut(which can remain connected to the tie rod and strut tower)
now, under the control arm is a castle nut, which holds the control arm to the knuckle, which is screwed onto the lower portion of the ball joint. use a pair of pliers and remove the cotter pin from the castle nut. then loosen and remove the castle nut from the ball joint
at this point, u can remove the knuckle from the lca, to do this, us an air hammer with ball joint seperator insert, to seperate the knuckle from the LCA, if u dont have an air hammer, use a hammer and pry bar to seperate, place prybar between knuckle and LCA and hammer until it breaks free
this is where the air hammer comes in handy, removing the ball joint from the knuckle
it can be done with a hammer and chisel, but its harder, and takes more time, but possible
before:
after:
now is where ur gonna need the ball joint c-clamp, it is not possible without it, and i always use anti-seize as lube when i install ball joints, so get some of that too
anti-seize
ball joint c-clamp
here is where the impact comes in handy(can be done with a ratchet, but again, its harder, and takes more time). insert the new ball joint into the hole where it will eventually seat, and attatch the ball joint c-clamp onto the knuckle and ball joint with appropriate adapter
this is what the ball joint will look like when it is fully seated in the knuckle
now u can reinsall the knuckle into the lower control arm and strut. if you have problems getting the strut and knuckle lining up because of tension, use a jack between the unibody and the lca to spread them out and make it easier:
now dont foreget to seat the axle into the bearing before installing the knuckle, otherwise it will be a pain. after installing the knuckle back into the LCA and strut, install your new axle nut/spindle nut and tighten
finally, use a flathead screwdriver and a hammer and smash the axle nut into the groove on the axle to keep it from coming loose, reinstall wheel and ur done
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