Do I need a ball joint remover if replacing the UCA and suspension?

[Swollkat]

Hey I'm going to be replacing my UCA's with Ingalls control arms and also installing coilovers. Do I need a ball joint separator since the Ingalls come with new ones or can I just hammer the hell out of it? I'd hate to spend money on that tool if it's not necessary. Also, I know AutoZone rents tools out but don't they only carry pickle forks or do they also have the type Honda recommends? Thanks.

 

[BlkCurrantKord]

The ingall's include new ball joints and camber plates. Should just unbolt stock UCA's, install ingall's UCA's.

 

[Dinzdale40]

ball joint separator helps...sometimes they can be tough...

 

[PROJECT H]

the pickle fork thing?

 

[Swollkat]

I hear pickle forks tear up boots, but the leverage tool doesn't. However since I'm replacing the entire control arm I still need to separate it from the knuckle. Should I just hammer the hell out of it since I'm going to throw it away?

Oh and will a pitman arm work too?

Finally once I replace the UCA does the weight of the car pop the new one back in?

Thanks for the replies!

 

[Donut Limo]

check out tooltopia.com
i bought a separator there extra cheap and it works fairly well. you can try hammering but that may not even cut it if it's wedged in there nice.
torquing the nuts on the new joints to spec and replacing the cotter pin does the job when you put things back together

 

[BlkCurrantKord]

I just hit the knuckle with a hammer, ball joint popped right out.

 

[Swollkat]

Thanks fellas!!

 

[talontsiawd]

My experience with this is that sometimes a hammer works great, other times it doesn't do anything. If you are careful, a fork works fine. In your case, it doesn't even matter. You can find them for cheap, plus, they are good if you plan to get in a street fight which is obviously a plus.