Another Lower Ball Joint Thread: Separating from LCA
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Another Lower Ball Joint Thread: Separating from LCA
So I've successfully changed out two front lower ball joints on a 2005 Civic recently. On this car (2004 LX 4 door), I wasn't able to get the ball joint to separate. The ultimate goal was to remove the drive axles and transmission so I ended up biting the bullet and removing the knuckle-to-strut mounting bolts, which I was trying to avoid.
I tried what's worked for me in the in the past, a pivoting ball joint tool that looks similar to the one in the service manual. No pop, but it did start to mushroom the end of the stud a little. So I tried the jack-and-insert-ratchet trick, no pop. Tried "beating the snot out of it" (as a wise man once wrote) with a sledge (to the LCA), and tried doing the same while a helper reefed on it with a pry bar. Nothing. I've tried each of these two or three times. Spent over an hour, maybe two on this ******* ball joint.
It's the original, 12-year old, OEM ball joint and LCA, although the other side popped out with the ball joint tool no problem. I'm at a loss. I do need to replace it as there's now some play. Any help would be appreciated!
I tried what's worked for me in the in the past, a pivoting ball joint tool that looks similar to the one in the service manual. No pop, but it did start to mushroom the end of the stud a little. So I tried the jack-and-insert-ratchet trick, no pop. Tried "beating the snot out of it" (as a wise man once wrote) with a sledge (to the LCA), and tried doing the same while a helper reefed on it with a pry bar. Nothing. I've tried each of these two or three times. Spent over an hour, maybe two on this ******* ball joint.
It's the original, 12-year old, OEM ball joint and LCA, although the other side popped out with the ball joint tool no problem. I'm at a loss. I do need to replace it as there's now some play. Any help would be appreciated!
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Re: Another Lower Ball Joint Thread: Separating from LCA
left mine for days, soaking everyday and tightening the tool everyday. then, one day, i heard a bang from the garage. it was finally out.
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Yeah, the trouble I'm having with the pickle forks is that they're not tall enough. I've got a set of five on loan from a local auto parts store and none are quite thick enough to put pressure on the LCA and knuckle. I guess the gap is larger on Hondas than on other cars? I'll go looking for a bigger pickle fork I guess.
I'll also give heat a try. I only have access to a propane torch but I'll give it a shot, heat the LCA and see if it does the trick.
I've also been trying the sustained pressure trick, had the balljoint tool on there for the last couple of days, as tight as I can make it. I'll keep this up too if the others don't work.
So that's three plans of attack. Place your bets...
I'll also give heat a try. I only have access to a propane torch but I'll give it a shot, heat the LCA and see if it does the trick.
I've also been trying the sustained pressure trick, had the balljoint tool on there for the last couple of days, as tight as I can make it. I'll keep this up too if the others don't work.
So that's three plans of attack. Place your bets...
"Marge, anyone could miss Canada! All tucked away down there."
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From: Barrie, ON Canada
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I'll also give heat a try. I only have access to a propane torch but I'll give it a shot, heat the LCA and see if it does the trick.
I've also been trying the sustained pressure trick, had the balljoint tool on there for the last couple of days, as tight as I can make it. I'll keep this up too if the others don't work.
I've also been trying the sustained pressure trick, had the balljoint tool on there for the last couple of days, as tight as I can make it. I'll keep this up too if the others don't work.
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Propane torch + pressure from the ball joint separator = burning rubber + one popped ball joint.
Heat was the thing. Thanks everybody!
Heat was the thing. Thanks everybody!
Last edited by dnmacdon; Aug 19, 2016 at 05:36 PM.
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Now that I think about it, given all the pounding with a sledge, do I need to be concerned about the integrity of the control arm? I'll have a look for obvious cracks, anything else I should check for?
Thanks again!
Thanks again!
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About the lca, if you find you can't get alignment, it could have bent...
120 bucks with bushings was what I paid.several years ago
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