Lower ball joint replacement: no press. How do I do it???

[cp[mike]]

i used a socket over the stud to hammer it out, then i used a large C-clamp and a couple large sockets to clamp the balljoint back into place.

[alb_accord]

dont' forget the c clamp lol. as everyone said all you need is a hammer lol...

ps what kind of ball joit did you guys use??? oem, autozone, any specific after market ones????

[HondaFan81]

i used a socket over the stud to hammer it out, then i used a large C-clamp and a couple large sockets to clamp the balljoint back into place.

This installation method makes the most sense of all. You do NOT hammer any ball-joint back in, hitting directly on it. You will damage it. You should press it back in, it will bottom out. Then, the snap-ring should fit back on. If it does not, you have not press it in far enough.

EDIT: When pressing ball-joint back in, you need to find an appropriate press tool that pushes on the circumference and not in the middle.

[Wutlis]

This installation method makes the most sense of all. You do NOT hammer any ball-joint back in, hitting directly on it. You will damage it. You should press it back in, it will bottom out. Then, the snap-ring should fit back on. If it does not, you have not press it in far enough.

I have also heard that this will damage the ball joint. I'm glad this subject came up since I just got my replacements in. I plan on taking it to a machine shop and having them press out the old and press in the new ones.

[lucid]

I use a block of wood that's as tall as the knuckle. It won't damage the joint.
I don't take the hub or brake rotor off, either, just the dust ring.
Have someone hold the knuckle still, set on a block of wood, then hammer a long board or block down over the joint.