I can't seem to get this thing to pop out, and I've already deformed it a bit. Tried using a pry bar at the top openings near the abs sensor, as well as a pry bar next to the ball joint, no luck.

Any input or advice would be appreciated!

 

Bend, pry, destroy it and throw it away. Mine is actually missing from the last shop that did the ball joint, I only found out when I went to do the ball joint last summer. If you care and would like to put that back, buy a new one. But you'll need to grind and de-rust that area on the knuckle to fit it in.

 

I guess the reason you are asking and from the perspective of the picture, it appears the ball joint removal process will run right into that knuckle ring?

The #5 wheel bearing looks 'beefy' for that 3G TL knuckle.
Front Brake (1) for 2006 Acura TL | Acura OEM Parts

It also appears that the inner flanges of the #1 ring may be accessible, for removal, only if the wheel bearing has been pressed out?
Knuckle for 2006 Acura TL | Acura OEM Parts

 

If you're not running one on your car, that's good enough for me. I'll try using some more force today to get it out.

That's correct, I'm planning on removing the ball joint. And I believe this ring/retainer actually *should* pop out, I found an obscure video on youtube where some other guy was able to pop it out like a snap ring, and he used a small chisel. I'm beginning to think that mine just might be horribly corroded in there, it has to be the original with 240k on it. Now I'm getting concerned that I should be replacing the wheel bearing while I'm in here, I think I slightly damaged the surface when trying to pry the ring out (the surface to the right of the abs sensor).....wonderful.

 

When I did my ball joints, I forgot to order those things and local dealer didn't had them in stock at the time. Of course I ended up destroying them and never put them back. It's been couple years now I believe and I had no issues with abs / wheel bearing. Next time if I need to replace the bearing I would probably order it, but otherwise I'll say it's not very important.

 

Thanks peter, always appreciate your input on my posts. Looks like I will simply try to remove it and leave it as is. But now I'm worried about that damage I caused to the outer seal of the wheel bearing probably wouldn't hurt to replace that since I have it all apart anyways...

 

Just an update to this, I heated up the ring with a torch for a few seconds and was able to pry it out. Additionally, I didn't actually damage my wheel bearing seal, it was just a ton of debris around the edge.

 

How many miles are on those components? I had 200K and didn't need wheel bearings (there wasn't any real noticeable noise or hum) but because I was redoing my ball joints & bushings I went ahead, did it and noticed quite an improvement in in reduced road noise.

 

Almost 240k. Coincidentally, both ball joints showed up insanely early, less than 24 hours after ordering them, and I already pressed one in - looks like there's still plenty of room to do a wheel bearing. Did you do it yourself? Was it a pain in the ass? I pressed mine without a bushing kit but I'm sure I could get one.

 

Yes, I did mine myself. I once took my car in for the lower ball joints, they charged me $250 and destroyed the splash guard in the process. After seeing that most auto parts stores offer rental on the clamp press and sleeve kit for free, I couldn't find myself paying someone to do the job when total parts are less than maybe a quarter of that?

If the need to drive the car isn't urgent I'd suggest it mainly as a preventative; especially since you're not hearing any obvious humming.

per advice in this forum, I got the timken bearings and WJB hubs on rock auto; great deal!

 

I've replaced wheel bearings in my wife's old 2003 Pilot and there are large circlips with eyelets on the ends of the "C" for circlip pliers.
And they were a total pain to get out, between the force pressing of the wheel hub and steering knuckle I can't imagine either coming out under normal operation even without the circlip.

 

Yeah, I figure I'll leave the knuckle ring out, the snap ring (and corrosion) should be plenty to keep the bearing inside. I'm just on the fence about doing the wheel bearing now, my original goal was to replace the ball joint and axle it ripped out, and that is going smooth so far. I'd just hate to have to take everything apart again in a few months if the bearing decides to go bad.

 

^
TheSauceBoss, just curious. Do you have a picture, like the one you provided above, that shows the knuckle without the knuckle ring in place?

 

Sure, the assembly is just sitting in my garage while I wait for my new axle to show up in the mail.

 

Thanks, that is were I wanted to see if the outer case of the bearing bottomed out, against that circular flange highlighted in yellow.

 

Glad to know about no issues with the knuckle ring missing. Went to order it at my local Acura dealership and they’re on back order. I’ll just have to run without one in the meantime