So, I put together something for everybody to reference later on and hopefully we'll never have to see another post about how to pop a lower balljoint.

Set up the jack and jack up the lower control arm until you can get the ratchet in b/w the knuckle and the LCA.

Insert the 1/2" drive ratchet so that it's as square as possible to the surfaces it's sitting on. This is to ensure that the ratchet won't flop out prematurely.

Front side - hopefully everybody can see how the ratchet sits. The perspective is a little skewed and blocked.

Back side

Movie - illustrates the method in action (approx 5MB)
http://s168.photobucket.com/al...I.flv
Finished: THE END
No muss. No fuss. And, no busted balljoint boots.

Other observational stuff that's mostly useless:

Using a pair of EGT gauges, I've been monitoring comparisons of EGT's b/w cylinders. Cylinder #3 was used as the standard since that's the one that everybody says runs the hottest. Guess what? They're right.

Relative readings:
1: -40 deg Celsius
2: -20 deg Celsius
3: 0
4: -40 deg Celsius

Sometimes the #2 cylinder would read less than -20 deg C of difference, but it wasn't very often.

Modified by IN VTEC at 12:14 AM 8/15/2007

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One thing to remember, make SURE you pop that balljoint loose BEFORE removing the shock fork. You can loosen or remove the lower fork-to-LCA nut if you want to, but the bolt must stay in there so that the spring will be forcing the LCA downward when you remove the jack. Otherwise it won't work.

Any ideas why #3 runs hottest? I never knew that.

Honda-Tech OG member #8927 class of '02

Koni + GC Install

HID retrofit club
member #0001

It'll usually do it by itself if you leave the shock fork in, but it's not necessary.

Watch the movie and you'll see.

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im impressed
the video is very helpful
nicely made.

that always happens. something is never around when its needed, but when you dont need it, its right there.

go figure.

Can someone input on this, I'd like to know also...

BTW: never seen that method before...

always did it the hard way with a puller, but never busted a ball join

'03 SS S2000
'95 GSR-T @ 7lbs RIP: 11/05/07

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I believe it has something to do with the way the intake manifolds / heads are designed on Honda autos.

Poor Vendor Experience: Kteller

Honda-Tech OG member #8927 class of '02

Koni + GC Install

HID retrofit club
member #0001

For Sale:
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..ps, that craftsman jack is the best ever isn't it, i love it..... craftsman

[]-[] (()) []\[] [])) //\\
1989 Integra LS - SiR I B16 Swap - SOLD!
1990 300ZX

This way has always been quicker and safer for me.

If you have a better solution, please present it. I'll convert to using it if it really is better than this method.

Modified by IN VTEC at 11:08 PM 6/7/2004

For Sale:
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For Sale:
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Mostly because it's quite expensive to find that kind of equipment to measure all of the possible variables, such as intake port velocity.

See this little knob? That is there to wack on with a BFH incase jaw pullers or your little trick doesnt work. I learnt this one in person this past weekend

Quote, originally posted by G1_TEGGY »

haha, not to bring your skills down or anything but this is why they make joint pullers

I guarantee you the ratchet-handle-method is faster and easier than any tool on the market anywhere, including the OEM tool shown in the Helm's manual. Absolutely no danger of tearing the boot or screwing up the balljoint stud using this method, vs. using pullers or pickle forks or other tools.

Honda-Tech OG member #8927 class of '02

Koni + GC Install

HID retrofit club
member #0001

Quote, originally posted by G1_TEGGY »

haha, not to bring your skills down or anything but this is why they make joint pullers ..ps, that craftsman jack is the best ever isn't it, i love it..... craftsman

1990 CRX Si
1992 GS-R DA squad # 277

Quote, originally posted by Strawb3rri3 »

so what I can be a wtf is that called? A BETAMAX if I WANNA BE!

Quote, originally posted by Knightsport »

It's all about perception.

"YOUR attitude is neither wanted nor tolerated!! This mean YOU!"

Quote, originally posted by Lisa Simpson »

Dad are you all right? I see food on your plate instead of blurring motions

Quote, originally posted by xenocron »

See this little knob? That is there to wack on with a BFH incase jaw pullers or your little trick doesnt work. I learnt this one in person this past weekend

The hammer method is usually the fastest for me. 2 hard hits and they pop. It does take a little more skill i guess if you can't control your hands very well or something. I have done probably 80-100 ball joints this way with no damage.