"the ball joint is already screwed, I'll just use a pickle fork!" WRONG ANSWER

theman1990

theman1990

Experienced Member
Joined
16 October 2006
Messages
654
Location
Johnson City, TN
"the ball joint is already screwed, I'll just use a pickle fork!" WRONG ANSWER

In the continuing saga of "Why I should not be allowed to work on cars, much less people" I've managed to take a bad situation... and worsen it. In case anyone missed it, I have been attempting to take the upper control arms off to get the camber kit put in to, you know, save a little money over the duration on tires. Well, unless I drive about 1.6 million miles I'll likely never recover the cost of this little 'project.' After the three tools (not honda) broke trying to press the ball joint out, the last one bent the bolt thru the spindle and ripped the boot apart.

Having decided the ball joint was effed no matter what, I went ahead and took a pickle fork to it. The result. Stuck pickle fork completely destroyed upper control arm, and a now shredded upper spindle. Unfortunately I am at wits end and will not be messing with this again for a long time.

YES I know the service manual says not to use the fork. I assumed it was b/c it would tear up the ball joint boot. Nope, it just bends everything...

Anyhow, to the rest of you, good luck... I know in my case if it wasn't for bad luck, I'd have none at all....
 
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Re: "the ball joint is already screwed, I'll just use a pickle fork!" WRONG ANSWER

Oh man, what a sad story. So now do you just plan to replace everything with new parts?
 
Re: "the ball joint is already screwed, I'll just use a pickle fork!" WRONG ANSWER

YIKES!!! That sucks! I'm sorry to hear!

What happened??? The pickle fork should have easily seperated the two.

1) You did use the right size pickle fork right? I stated this in your other post. The gap in the fork should be almost the same as the diameter of the ball joint... not TOO big.

2) You didn't "PRY" with the pickle fork right? You inserted it under the rubber boot, and used a sledge hammer/mallet?

3) Did you cut off the bent part of the ball joint? Being bent, it may not have been able to pass through the hole in the spindle anymore.

Post a pic?

Ack! :mad:


Edit: A propane torch probably would have helped loosen up the joint too. Hind sight... doh!
 
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Re: "the ball joint is already screwed, I'll just use a pickle fork!" WRONG ANSWER

"Local pickup only"
Click to expand...

If it was me I would contact the seller through the listing, get his number, and make an international phone call to discuss exactly which parts he has that you need. If he has what you need, you could probably get him to ship the parts to you.

As an alternative you could probably get a "bloke" in the UK (NSXPrime member) to do you a solid and pick up the parts and ship them to you.
 
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Re: "the ball joint is already screwed, I'll just use a pickle fork!" WRONG ANSWER

Yah I'm considering that... I've contacted just about everyone I can on prime and no luck so far.

I CANNOT get the joint separated though. The control arm now looks like it is trying to separate from the ball joint itself... :( The spindle is pretty tore up from the pickle fork, also. I *might* be able to fix that with a grinder and gentle/slow abrasion.
 
Re: "the ball joint is already screwed, I'll just use a pickle fork!" WRONG ANSWER

theman1990 said:
Yah I'm considering that... I've contacted just about everyone I can on prime and no luck so far.

I CANNOT get the joint separated though. The control arm now looks like it is trying to separate from the ball joint itself... :( The spindle is pretty tore up from the pickle fork, also. I *might* be able to fix that with a grinder and gentle/slow abrasion.
Click to expand...

If you need someone to forward those parts I am sure any of us here ( UK ) and here ( Prime ) will do it for you.
 
Re: "the ball joint is already screwed, I'll just use a pickle fork!" WRONG ANSWER

To separate the joint, you really need the factory tool. The factory part number is in the service manual. Even with the factory tool, it is an extremely difficult process.

regards,
-- Chris
 
Re: "the ball joint is already screwed, I'll just use a pickle fork!" WRONG ANSWER

Chris@SoS said:
To separate the joint, you really need the factory tool. The factory part number is in the service manual. Even with the factory tool, it is an extremely difficult process.

regards,
-- Chris
Click to expand...

Chris is right on about the factor tool. I bought both of them, there are 2 different sizes. I also use this tool on my other Honda's like my accord.

Bryan
 
Re: "the ball joint is already screwed, I'll just use a pickle fork!" WRONG ANSWER

Is there any way I could borrow this tool? I can pay shipping both ways if anyone can loan it to me!!
 
Re: "the ball joint is already screwed, I'll just use a pickle fork!" WRONG ANSWER

I feel for ya :) I've done tried some "DIY's" thinking I'd save a little money and then :eek:***F*F* :eek: :eek:***F*F* :eek: :eek:***F*F* :eek:..

Live and learn.
 
Re: "the ball joint is already screwed, I'll just use a pickle fork!" WRONG ANSWER

BALL JOINT REMOVER, 28mm
07MAC-SL00200

i bought a honda ball joint remover for my s2k a couple of years ago. ill check and see if its the same or similar when i get to work. i dont remember it having a spring though so its probably not the right one.

any techs know if it would be compatible? if so ill ship it to ya as i dont need it anymore.
 

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