B16A_2

I am doing the brake swap and I thought that I might as well just change the lower ball joint, the problem is I can't get them off. I have not tried using an air chisel which I don't know how to operate yet, my question is
-which way does the balljoint come off, is installing goes the opposite way?
-I've seen people just hammer the new balljoint into the LCA, would it damage the balljoint?
-Do I need a BFH or just a regular hammer?


Also when I tried to install the axle back into the wheel bearing, it does not go in fully, should I just put the spindle nut on and press in using a air gun? Will it damage the axle or transmission?

Sorry for so many nooby questions...Thanks a lot.

Gunmetalef

i believe tghey are pressed in

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

if by pressed in, you mean hammered in, then yes

I took mine and had them pressed in at a machine shop, they said the knuckle is so awkward there is no way to get it into a press, so they just drove it in with a hammer.

as for seperating them I really like using a 7 inch 3 jaw puller. if you don't own one, I think CT rents them out.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

as for how they come off, the LCA sits under the steering knuckle, the balljoint sits in the steering knuckle and goes through the LCA. so it seperates at the rubber boot pretty much, and then you take the steering knuckle to a machine shop to have the balljoint replaced.

IMO, anytime something doesn't go in quite right, and you are tempted to use a BFH or an air tool to make it 'right'.... its no good. make SURE that everything is a-ok before you start to tighten that axle nut. double and triple check your work to make sure this is what you wanna do. only after you are certain, you can go ahead and tighten it. don't use an air gun tho, use a god damn torque wrench like you're supposed to. have ppl forgoten what those are??

B16A_2

Thanks, I got em in today at a shop for 30 bucks.
I was there when they installed em, here are some tips from me.
What they did was first they spray some WD40 on the ball joint and hold the thread using a vice grip, it took about 20 hits to get the balljoint. Once you have the balljoint out, spray WD40 on the side of the balljoint, and hold the balljoint by a balljoint tool and pressed in by a air gun. I can change em myself next time...

- Medium size hammer
- WD40
- Balljoint tool (On sale @ Princess Auto)
- Vice Grip
- Air gun

imported_viper_2_4

good advice....

imported_trackhack

Come on Bruno, where's your sense of adventure?

punkindrublic

those jaw pullers were on sale like a month ago... got one for $25

2 BLU

Whats that bruno? I dont think I ever used one! I just use my impact wrench