Ball Bearing In Upper Control Arm

[96SedanEX]

Hey, I'm in the process of fixing my Civic after I got into an accident with it a while back...I just bought a new Upper Control Arm for it and it comes with a new ball berring ect...Problem is...i can't get the old ball berring out so i can install the new ball berring and control arm...anyone have any advice???...ive tried heat and WD40....thx

[steronz]

i'm guessing you're talking about removing the ball joint from the steering knuckle. since you're tossing the old ball joint, the easiest way is a pickle fork, a 5 lb sledge, and 10 minutes and some beer. the graceful way is to get a ball joint puller.

[Smooth_Imports]

If you just disconecting it yeah beat that shit with a pickle fork until it's wedged and pull up and push down until it pops, But if your actually talking about replacing the ball joint then you need to take it to a shop and have the old one pressed out and a new one pressed in.

[96SedanEX]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(steronz @ Jan 18 2006, 05:33 PM) [snapback]98796[/snapback]</div>

i'm guessing you're talking about removing the ball joint from the steering knuckle. since you're tossing the old ball joint, the easiest way is a pickle fork, a 5 lb sledge, and 10 minutes and some beer. the graceful way is to get a ball joint puller.
[/b]

I'm only 16 yrs old...so the beer part wouldn't work...lol...how about I just use a grinder and grind off the bolt thats on the bottom of it so i can just screw the ball out???...I have some pics...if I could upload them it would be way easier to explain...but i dont know how...lol...and whats a pickle fork???...ive never heard of one before...lol...thx

[sjsotelo]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(96SedanEX @ Jan 18 2006, 08:16 PM) [snapback]98806[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(steronz @ Jan 18 2006, 05:33 PM) [snapback]98796[/snapback]

i'm guessing you're talking about removing the ball joint from the steering knuckle. since you're tossing the old ball joint, the easiest way is a pickle fork, a 5 lb sledge, and 10 minutes and some beer. the graceful way is to get a ball joint puller.
[/b]

I'm only 16 yrs old...so the beer part wouldn't work...lol...how about I just use a grinder and grind off the bolt thats on the bottom of it so i can just screw the ball out???...I have some pics...if I could upload them it would be way easier to explain...but i dont know how...lol...and whats a pickle fork???...ive never heard of one before...lol...thx
[/b][/quote]


Hey man, no need to grind it! lol.. If you got a autozone or some type of autoparts store around u, see if they rent tools.. both auto places by my rent tools for free... rent a ball joint remover, or a pickelpork. You also need a mini slege hammer.

remove the cotter pins from the lower balljoint nuts,



Remove the lower balljoint nuts (17mm),



Separate the lower balljoints from the lower control arms (LCA).



This can be done multiple ways, but I use a pickle fork. *also called a ball joint remover* you basicly wedge under the balljoint and hammer the crap out of it with a slege hammer... you will have to hit it HARD, it doesnt usely come off easly.

hope this helps!

[96SedanEX]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sjsotelo @ Jan 18 2006, 10:00 PM) [snapback]98808[/snapback]</div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(96SedanEX @ Jan 18 2006, 08:16 PM) [snapback]98806[/snapback]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(steronz @ Jan 18 2006, 05:33 PM) [snapback]98796[/snapback]

i'm guessing you're talking about removing the ball joint from the steering knuckle. since you're tossing the old ball joint, the easiest way is a pickle fork, a 5 lb sledge, and 10 minutes and some beer. the graceful way is to get a ball joint puller.
[/b]

I'm only 16 yrs old...so the beer part wouldn't work...lol...how about I just use a grinder and grind off the bolt thats on the bottom of it so i can just screw the ball out???...I have some pics...if I could upload them it would be way easier to explain...but i dont know how...lol...and whats a pickle fork???...ive never heard of one before...lol...thx
[/b][/quote]


Hey man, no need to grind it! lol.. If you got a autozone or some type of autoparts store around u, see if they rent tools.. both auto places by my rent tools for free... rent a ball joint remover, or a pickelpork. You also need a mini slege hammer.

remove the cotter pins from the lower balljoint nuts,



Remove the lower balljoint nuts (17mm),



Separate the lower balljoints from the lower control arms (LCA).



This can be done multiple ways, but I use a pickle fork. *also called a ball joint remover* you basicly wedge under the balljoint and hammer the crap out of it with a slege hammer... you will have to hit it HARD, it doesnt usely come off easly.

hope this helps!
[/b][/quote]
thx...I dont have an autozone or anywhere where I can rent tools around...about how much would one of thoes pickle forks go for???...CDN....I'm guessin I would be able to pick one up at NAPA or Colonial Auto Parts...and if all i had was the grinder...could i grind the bottom bolt off and pry the ball out with the fork???...also what are these "cotter pins" your talking about on the balljoint nut...I was jsut trying to take the nut off with a pair of vice-grips...lol...thx

[steronz]

i don't think a grinder is gonna help you much. you risk cutting into the steering knuckle, and you want to make sure that surface remains flat on top and bottom. plus you'd still have to hammer out the remains of the bolt. that thing gets like fused in there. it's probably be easier to get it out while it's still attached to the ball joint.

you should be able to get a pickle fork at any auto parts store... be warned that it may squirt all the grease out of the boot and make a mess, but that's part of the fun. that's why i only recommend this route if you're tossing the old ball joint. if you want to save it, get a jaw puller from sears or something, which is a bit harder to use but preserves the joint.

[96SedanEX]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(steronz @ Jan 18 2006, 11:27 PM) [snapback]98814[/snapback]</div>

i don't think a grinder is gonna help you much. you risk cutting into the steering knuckle, and you want to make sure that surface remains flat on top and bottom. plus you'd still have to hammer out the remains of the bolt. that thing gets like fused in there. it's probably be easier to get it out while it's still attached to the ball joint.

you should be able to get a pickle fork at any auto parts store... be warned that it may squirt all the grease out of the boot and make a mess, but that's part of the fun. that's why i only recommend this route if you're tossing the old ball joint. if you want to save it, get a jaw puller from sears or something, which is a bit harder to use but preserves the joint.
[/b]

ic...I diddnt mean grind off the whole bolt and all..I mean just grind into the nut so the nut will come off then use a pickle fork to haul the nut out (kinda hard to explain over internet i know)...and dont worry about grease...i got that all haulled off and theres nuttin there now except for the bare metal ball joint...lol...I don't think gettin the ball joint itself is a problem if I get a pickle fork...its trying to get that nut off thats on the bottom...it's got so much rust and stuff on it that it looks like its all one piece...lol

[dubcac]

He's talking about the UPPER control arm, not the lower one guys.

[96SedanEX]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(dubcac @ Jan 19 2006, 01:25 AM) [snapback]98817[/snapback]</div>

He's talking about the UPPER control arm, not the lower one guys.
[/b]

yea...I have some pics that would make it a whole lot easier...but I don't know how to upload them...thx