Helm manual (17-58) says "oil seal driver, 07974-6790000" is the special tool needed to seat the ball joint boot. Is this tool really needed? Is there a non-Honda generic tool easily available? Can the ball joint boot be seated without a special tool?

 

I've never done this on the S2000 but I have on other cars' ball joint boots. I think the "special tool" just makes the installation a bit easier by helping to seat the base of the boot into its groove. Watch how it comes off and this will give you some clue as to how tough it will be to put a new one back on. Looks to me like a giant socket or plastic pipe of the right size might work just as well.

 

So where do you get the tool? And how much does it cost?

 

Are you sure we are talking about the same tool? The Helm manual referred to it as 07974-6790000.

 

OK, I'm home looking at the manual. The little clip spring is clearly indicated in the drawing, but there is no indication that it is not an integral part of the boot. The instructions say nothing about inserting the ring into the boot. They indicate that the special tool is only used to push the boot down into place.

Are you really sure we are talking about the same thing? I'm on page 17-58 of the 2002 version of the Helm manual. "Ball Joint Boot Replacement".

 

Harry, I have lots of spares. I can donate you a set.

 

No worries. You gave detailed enough information for me to realize there was a disconnect. Worked out fine. I think I'm going to take Dave's advice and fab up a "special tool" out of PVC pipe. If it works, I'll post details.

 

I've done the boots (and clips) on the rear lower ball joint by hand ... it was not the easiest thing to do. The spring type clip (if it's the same) wraps around in a spiral fashion.

 

slipstream444,
hehe, you may have quoted the wrong guy. I was joking about Harry needing glasses (like I do).

 

Minor update: I got the parts and the boot spring is definitely integral into the boot. Clearly the only use for the "special tool" is to fully seat the boot. I haven't done this yet, though. I'll let you know what happens.