lower ball joint...axle nut

[TomQuick]

If you're removing the hub, then you don't need the adapter kit for the Honda. The adapter kit basically has a receiving tube that has a window / flat spot cut in it to clear the hub area of the knuckle.

I've done enough ghetto engineering in my life to know that is NOT the way to do any job, unless you are stuck on the side of the road, and really need to just get it together enough to get back home.

If I'm doing a job, I do it right. If that means that the half hour long job is going to take me three extra days because i need to order a part, or deal with something unexpected, well then it takes me three extra days. If I need a special tool, I either buy it, or get a loaner from the parts store, and if I can't do that, then I take it to someone with the tools / knowledge to do the job the right way.

I take a lot of pride in the work I do on my car, and I know that if I've done the work, it IS done right, something I often don't know when a mechanic has done the work.

[batever]

The thing about hammering is that it will get the bj in, but the instantaneous impact of the hammer strikes on the nylon seat in the bj cup will likely be *much* higher than the constant steady pressure of pressing it in. As a result, it's possible (though not certain) nylon cup/seat could get distorted. Hammering probably wouldn't damage the bearing surfaces or the metal of the balljoint, so it probably would be just as strong in this case, but fit looser if the nylon cup gets distorted.

Pressing avoids those intermittent forces and instead uses a steady force that is likely to be under the elastic deformation limit of the bj components.

If you are on top of what's going on with your car though, you'll notice whether a hammered-in lower bj is messed up/deformed by the symptoms so I don't think it's the same critical issue it is with joe or jane public getting a messed up lower ball joint from "the mechanic" on their car .

[d112crzy]

Seriously, it's not that hard to press in a bj straight. The first time I did it I never had issues. Make sure it's going in straight, and light start tapping it in.

[Sleeper00]

ok bcjammerx already got this done, just END this bullshits, just use whatever u think it can get the job done right and fix the problems, or if u dont know what u doing just take it to the shop and pay some1 to get it fix, DONE THE END

[batever]

ok bcjammerx already got this done, just END this bullshits, just use whatever u think it can get the job done right and fix the problems, or if u dont know what u doing just take it to the shop and pay some1 to get it fix, DONE THE END

whoaa...maybe a bit of an overreaction? I don't think any part of this thread is "bullshit". I'm glad he got it done and however he got it done that's fine with me. That doesn't mean that people have to stop talking if they're interested. Besides which, someone may learn something that will apply elsewhere. And people should feel welcome to contribute without being concerned that someone is going to shout them down.

[TomQuick]

^ Well said, and in complete sentences, using fully spelled out words and correct English. I personally always pay just a bit more attention to something written by a person whom exhibits solid language skills.

Although I will always advocate taking the time to use a press when installing ball joints, I didn't know that there is a nylon seat in the ball joints, so I learned something new in this thread.

[bcjammerx]

actually, Sleeper00, there has been some decent discussion going on...if you don't like the continued convo, read and take from this thread what you need then unsubscribe from this thread so you don't get notified of further posts.

I agree...pressing in straight is super easy...unless you just aren't paying attention and get your press crooked you shouldn't have ANY issue getting it in straight.

As a side note, the other ball joint, the one I DIDN'T try to hammer went in a LOT easier than the one I did try to hammer and then pressed.

As to the hammering...might work with some other guys cars but mine just didn't want to go...I like pressing better for the reasons batever pointed out.


Also guys, when you take your OEM ones out, there will be a snap ring but honda has changed their part and they no longer have the snap ring...it was kinda overkill since these are pressed in, the snap ring doesn't do anything. The new ones don't have the groove for the snap ring either.

The ones I bought from TASAUTO did have the snap ring and groove...but I bought OEM lowers so I used them instead.

My camera (digital) got left out and we got a nasty rain...it still works after I got 'er dried out...but I have some fog on the lens and my internet at the house is a little slow...once I get the pics uploaded I'll make a DIY...will try to do the rear ball joints soon.