[Ti Rider]

I was attempting to replace the passenger axle in my '89 CRX Si. I printed some instructions off the net. It looked easy enough. I've replaced my inner and outer tie rods before so I thought I could do it. Well I got the axle nut off. Then tried popping the balljoint. I hit it on the side with a hammer to loosen it. Then I used one of those U shaped balljoint loaner tools from Autozone. The balljoint didn't come loose, the tool slipped off the knuckle and destroyed the threads on the ball joint. The balljoint is still seemingly "welded" in, the threads gone, and the end is crushed. What do I do now?

 

[DAP91Si]

Keep hitting it with the hammer. Sounds like you need a new one anyways. I had the same problem with mine. I think I was hitting the side of the knuckle and the bolt and it finally broke loose.

 

[jmart]

For future reference, you should always leave the castle nut, or another 12mmx1.25 nut partially threaded on the ball joint threads so taht if you do accidentally whack it the threads are safe.
You want to put the car on jack stands in front. Then use a jack to lift up on the lug nuts that way the spring is pushing the lower arm away form the knuckle. Then use a 8lb mallet or something to hit the knub on the lower arm. hit it mostly sideways and slightly downward angle. A few hefty whacks and it should pop out.
In your case, you can even use a pickle fork to split them because you're going to have to get a new ball joint pressed in there if you've stripped/smashed the threads.

 

[crxter]

You need to raise the hub a little to ease tension on the joint. Use a jack to raise the suspension a few inches, hit it , then raise it another inch and hit it again. Always on the side of the joint.
Done it may many times.

 

[Ti Rider]

I got it back together. It fought me every step of the way. I went to Autozone got a new ball joint, fork, and press. I used the fork to seperate the ball joint. Took off the snap ring and hammered the old one out. The AZ ball joint press was missing the smallest cup, rendering it useless. So I ghetto'd it in with a mini sledge. Then I tore the new boot trying to get the snap ring back in. One replacement boot and snap ring pliers later I was done.

I did a search on the net looking for a better way to seperate ball joints. I found this and highly recommend it - Easiest Method. It requires no special tools. It doesn't even touch the ball joint so no damage. In fact on a CRX it doesn't even require the jack. You can lift the LCA up to put the wrench in without the jack. Using this method it took me about ten minutes to change the driver's axle. Watch the video if you have any questions.