Rear camber adjuster is frozen on my 2002 S2K, so I wish to remove the rear lower arms to replace the bushings.

I've loosened the chassis bolt (23 in image below) on the control arm and have loosened the camber lock nut (27), but I'm having trouble with the ball joint while trying to use the press kit I rented from Advance Auto Parts.

YouTube How-to's suggest rear lower control arms can simply be hit with a hammer (or pried with a crow bar) and the arm will come free (since this image suggests the ball joint is part of the knuckle, not the arm). I want to ask you guys before I attempt this...since I can't find new rear lower ball joints online in case something goes horribly wrong.



Should I swing away? Or should I ask for advice on how to use this press?

 

That press is the wrong tool, that is to change the ball joint. You need a separator, I had to buy one at Harbor Freight.

 

The hammer trick for popping ball joints seems to be hit or miss (pun intended). Because of their conical shape, they almost act seized but truly just need to be shocked out of place. Using a standard ball joint separator works well. If you look at Rob Robinettes write up on wheel bearing replacement he talks about it. You can use it to pop all of the ball joints loose on the s2k.

 

1. New rear lower ball joints are easy to find. A simple google search brings many up. You can even do extended rear lower ball joints.

Buddy club: https://www.jhpusa.com/store/pc/view...idcategory=567

Hardrace: https://www.jhpusa.com/store/pc/view...idcategory=567

or if you arent looking for exteneded ones,

ballade sports oem style: https://www.balladesports.com/produc...nt-00-09-s2000

hardtopguy oem style: https://hardtopguy.com/store/422.html

so really, you didnt try that hard.

2. You posted a ball joint press. That will be needed, but is not right tool to pop ball joint from lower arm. you want this tool.

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-qua...tor-99849.html

very similar to the tool we used at Honda. seperates ball joints in seconds.

You're welcome

 

I did do a search, but I used Bing (work computers only have Internet explorer). It's my own fault for not using Google.

Thank you for the links.

 

Lol. There's your problem. Bing only works for travel stuff.