[Ignignot]

Another race season approaches and its time for me to buy a front wheel bearing/hub press tool and a ball joint extractor/press.

Can anyone recommend a quality tool set(s) that are transportable that will let me extract and press bearings and ball joints on my 03 2.4l 5mt in the paddock if need be? Maybe these 2 harbor freight kits? Thanks all!

 

[midnight witch]

i have that ball joint kit, it doesn’t fit the accord-specific adapter and i ended up using a bfh to remove the ball joint. don’t recommend it.

 

[Ignignot]

i have that ball joint kit, it doesn’t fit the accord-specific adapter and i ended up using a bfh to remove the ball joint. don’t recommend it.

Thanks.
Maybe this guy? Only worried about lower front ball joints for uppers id just replace the wishbone.


Are these tools used for installing AND extracting?

 

[Dr. Acula]

Supposedly this one works but doesn’t come with the clamp.

Amazon.com: OTC 6734 Ball Joint Adapter Update for Honda/Acura : Automotive

Buy OTC 6734 Ball Joint Adapter Update for Honda/Acura: Ball Joint & Tie Rod Tools - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I haven’t used it personally.

the Maddox wheel bearing kit I do believe works for the bearings.

 

[My First Honda]

I recently did this job on my 96 VW Jetta. I am new to Honda's, but if they use the similar pressed in wheel bearings, you can save a lot of money if you have an Autozone or Oreily's part store nearby. They both have a tool loaner program that costs you nothing but a signature as long as you return it in tact. Way to go in my opinion for these once in a while type jobs...

I tried posting a direct link, but couldn't. Just google "Autozone loan a tool"; will take you to a link with all the tools available to loan out...

 

[Ignignot]

I recently did this job on my 96 VW Jetta. I am new to Honda's, but if they use the similar pressed in wheel bearings, you can save a lot of money if you have an Autozone or Oreily's part store nearby. They both have a tool loaner program that costs you nothing but a signature as long as you return it in tact. Way to go in my opinion for these once in a while type jobs...

I tried posting a direct link, but couldn't. Just google "Autozone loan a tool"; will take you to a link with all the tools available to loan out...

Thanks but I actually am looking to buy the kits straight up. I race and would like to have the tools on hand. Looking for any advice on good ones as they are expensive

 

[midnight witch]

Thanks.
Maybe this guy? Only worried about lower front ball joints for uppers id just replace the wishbone.


Are these tools used for installing AND extracting?

yeah, replacing the whole upper arm is definitely the way to go. any thought to pressing new ball joints into a spare set of knuckles (with new wheel bearings etc) so if you have one fail you're not fucking with a press in the pits?

also yes, the tool is used for installation and removal- the biggest issue with the maddox one is that the c-clamp simply isn't wide enough. if you'd want to use the otc adapter, it may make sense to buy the otc clamp too- can probably snag one on ebay or marketplace or whatever

Supposedly this one works but doesn’t come with the clamp.

Amazon.com: OTC 6734 Ball Joint Adapter Update for Honda/Acura : Automotive

Buy OTC 6734 Ball Joint Adapter Update for Honda/Acura: Ball Joint & Tie Rod Tools - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I haven’t used it personally.

i have

the stupid cup didn't fit properly over the top of the ball joint to press it out, the washer bit was pointless. 75% chance it was a skill issue i guess. my solution was to use a socket that fit over the end of the ball joint and hit it with a 4lb engineer's hammer. great way to take out frustration, worked faster than the press.

used a normal ball joint press to put the new ones in.

 

[Hudouc]

the stupid cup didn't fit properly over the top of the ball joint to press it out, the washer bit was pointless. 75% chance it was a skill issue i guess. my solution was to use a socket that fit over the end of the ball joint and hit it with a 4lb engineer's hammer. great way to take out frustration, worked faster than the press.

used a normal ball joint press to put the new ones in.

LOL, I did the same thing on my 8th gen. They don't seem to make a adapter cup for the 8th gen size that's commonly available for some reason.

 

[Dr. Acula]

hit it with a 4lb engineer's hammer.

… I know this method VERY well… turned my locked in bench vice ~30 degrees while pounding on them like an angry thunder god! It pissed me off but I felt damn powerful when it moved a micron after the 100th strike.

do you also balance your knuckles on a couple pieces of odd wood when doing wheel bearings and rain down the hammer of the gods and have to re-situate the whole kaboodle after every swing? It’s like a rite of passage

 

[midnight witch]

do you also balance your knuckles on a couple pieces of odd wood when doing wheel bearings and rain down the hammer of the gods and have to re-situate the whole kaboodle after every swing? It’s like a rite of passage

that is EXACTLY how i did it

-line up knuckle/socket/etc
-hit ball joint like it owed me money
-check to see if it moved any (it didn't)
-contemplate life choices
-make sure knuckle was correctly on the wood again
-start from beginning

 

[Dr. Acula]

@Ignignot look here man, all you need is some wood and a hammer. No need for all these fancy tools. And then have a dorm fridge plugged in that you had your wheel bearings and ball joints in overnight just to get that extra nanometer of clearance for install.

Also… is yours the one with the E Honda graphic on the side doing the flying head but?

 

[midnight witch]

thanks for the reminder that i have an ssr mk2r face in the freezer downstairs still

 

[Dr. Acula]

Bahahahaha I JUST last night threw out some front dampener bushings I found behind some veg. They were past expiration so I I tossed em… actually I have no desire to ever pull this suspension again unless I’m doing new knuckles which I don’t plan to…

 

[Ignignot]

Any thought to pressing new ball joints into a spare set of knuckles (with new wheel bearings etc) so if you have one fail you're not fucking with a press in the pits?

Thats the plan. Figure ill refresh a set every winter and keep last seasons as spares.

I was thinking if we have a track that breaks a ball joint, it might brake 2 ball joints over the weekend too. Would be cool to be able to swap the spare then have a guy swap the broken joint/knuckle while the car is back on the track so we have a ready spare again.

@Ignignot look here man, all you need is some wood and a hammer. No need for all these fancy tools. And then have a dorm fridge plugged in that you had your wheel bearings and ball joints in overnight just to get that extra nanometer of clearance for install.

Also… is yours the one with the E Honda graphic on the side doing the flying head but?

Hahahaha I mean it would be a nice way to get the frustration of being in the pits out. I am gonna have to do a set of these every winter at least though I figure getting a quality tool will be the best move for me in my unique situation. And yeah thats us We are running a different livery this year which I am super excited about but cant post pics or info here until after our first race in mid April

 

[midnight witch]

View attachment 556193
Thats the plan. Figure ill refresh a set every winter and keep last seasons as spares.

I was thinking if we have a track that breaks a ball joint, it might brake 2 ball joints over the weekend too. Would be cool to be able to swap the spare then have a guy swap the broken joint/knuckle while the car is back on the track so we have a ready spare again.

good point. in that case, it might be worth spending the extra money up front to get the otc c-clamp kit and the accord-specific tool.

 

[7thGen4Prez2024]

Beat the old ones off with a hammer(really hit em with your purse)
I used a combination of an amazon el cheapo ball joint press kit, and a 4 piece honda adapter kit to press the new ball joints in. C clamp included in amazon kit wasnt long enough to press them out.
Orion Motor Tech ball joint kit - https://a.co/d/44q82YO $57
Autozone honda adapters, OEM TOOL part # 27164
$50

 

[evident]

you REALLY need that OTC 6734 adapter set. it fits perfectly on the 7th gen (and 1st gen TSX) ball joints . and rent the press tool from autozone for free.

 

[7thGen4Prez2024]

you REALLY need that OTC 6734 adapter set. it fits perfectly on the 7th gen (and 1st gen TSX) ball joints . and rent the press tool from autozone for free.

Yeah, that otc kit would be ideal. At the time, when I did mine, I couldn't find it available for under $150.
For $100 I'm quite satisfied with my results from both kits I used.