For those that did your rear or ball joint by itself
did you have a problem shocking the ball joints specially in cold weather?
I couldnt get the separator around here...

 

Used a tie rod splitter...NOT the fork kind, but the two jaw puller kind. Works perfect, prolly better than the Honda tool.

 

thanks
well hopefully I it wont be much trouble shocking the ball joint out w/o a tool... but if i must i will get the puller kind then...

 

FYI If your seperating the ball joists to install springs or to remove the diff it is not needed. usta heads up if thats what you doing!

 

You will not likely separate that joint without a special tool. If you just pound on it with a heavy object, you'll just flatten the end like a "smithy" on his anvil.
You need at least something like this:

As billman already stated, DON'T use a pickle fork.

 

If your pulling out your diff there is no need to pop the ball joints.

Mike

 

thanks Xviper, ill see if I can get something like that

and EFFECT, how will I clear the half shafts outta the way then ?

 

Just unbolt the 8 bolts holding the rear bushings that hold the diff. then you can push the diff to one side at a time and slide the axles out, its really easy. Took me about 45 min from start to finish.

Mike

 

OK, beat me to it.

 

ok very nice, thanks Effect and Xviper
I always prepare myself w/ the manual and thats what it said to do and plus I havent been under my car for a while and didnt know if I could make it without removing the ball joints
But this is good, ill save about a 100 bucks on tools