Anyone know the rough cost for a ball-joint seperator tool? I can't get my lower ball-joint on my integra off.

My integra also cranks, but won't start...do you guys think it's the alternator that is bad? My wife was driving the teg and it died on her in the middle of an intersection. After that the car cranks, but will not start. You guys/gals have any idea?

 

Is the battery good? it should run for at least a small period of time(might require all accessories turned off) if the battery is good even if the alternator is not in use (for whatever reason) Other than that, a fuel delivery or spark problem, maybe?

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by S2K
[B]Anyone know the rough cost for a ball-joint seperator tool? I can't get my lower ball-joint on my integra off.

 

Thanks for the advices guys. I'll check it out when I get home after work.

 

Do not use a pittman arm or anything like that!!! It will destroy the rubber boots on your ball joint.

Buy a 2-arm gear puller from Sears (Harbor Freight crap is not strong enough, use a craftsman puller). File the point down, but not completely off. This should separate the joint without any damage to the boot. But be careful, if you have too much point on it, the ball joint can start to collapse where the holes are drilled for the cotter pin. Then you'll have a hell of a time screwing the castle nut back on.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by The Reverend
[B]Do not use a pittman arm or anything like that!!!

 

It's really very easy. And the tool is not expensive.

I've used many different arms and ball joint separators and I have NEVER found one that did not either damage the boot or squeeze out all the grease. It's an inherent flaw in the design - regardless of size.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by The Reverend
[B]It's really very easy.

 

As in 4th/5th gen civics??? Ummm, you don't need to separate the ball joints to change springs on a civic. You really only need to separate the ball joint to remove the axles.

Anyway, if you look at your service manual, the tool Honda recommends using to separate the ball joint is a Honda tool and is very expensive. A 2-arm gear puller works exactly the same way and only costs $20.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by The Reverend
[B]

As in 4th/5th gen civics???