Marsaloni

I have the Haynes manual for the 04 TL. It is WAY to vague for most of the "professional" services. For lower ball joint replacement it literally says take the knuckle to a shop. For hub/bearing removal it also says take the knuckle to a shop. WTF? I bought the manual to do work myself. I have a press, I need the procedures... Go F your shop. /rant

So where can I buy a legit service manual? Preferably online as I need it now. Or can someone scan the lower ball joint replacement procedure and wheel bearing/hub replacement procedure?

I need to replace the lower ball joints and it looks like the wheel bearing/hub assembly is in the way of pressing out the old ball joint. Is that metal piece that over hangs the lower ball joint just a big clip I can pop off or do I really need to press everything out to press out the ball-joint?

Thanks

Marsaloni

To update, #1 in the image is blocking me from pressing out the lower ball joint. How do I remove #1?

Marsaloni

The ring is removable. I got it out with some brake cleaner/pb blaster and some pry bars.

Turbonut

iTrader: (1)

On the lower BJ there is a sleeve inside the LCA, so make certain it stays in place.
Just an example:
https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/ball-joint-sleeve-removal-883059/

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

you can get the service manual here on acurazine. I downloaded both the 04-06 and 07-08 factory service manual here on acurazine

blueracer17

I hate to say it, but take the uprights to a machine to pop out the ball joints. My buddy and I replaced a bunch of front suspension parts last month in his TL. We tried to do the lower ball joints ourselves with the correct tool from the parts store, but it didn't work. He brought the knuckles to a machine shop and they pressed out the old ball joints and pressed in the new ones for $35, and it was done in 45 minutes. I am all for saving money and doing my own work, but this is one that it pays to pay a few bucks to have it done right. Granted, we live in Wisconsin, so corrosion is an issue. We also had to replace the wheel speed sensors because they broke while trying to remove them.

nfnsquared

OP, why do you think they need to be replaced?

KN_TL

iTrader: (3)

I bought this tool, works great

Marsaloni

They need to be replaced because I didn't take my time on the driver's side and busted the threads in half during removal of the LCA and broke the boot on the passenger side trying to use a pickle fork which now I'm aware both of the methods I used were wrong for this car. 2ndly the passenger side BJ pulled the sleeve with it so I'm hoping some heat and some tools will pull that sleeve off the BJ so I can re-press it in. My friend has a 20ton press so I guess I'll just pull both knuckles and use that instead of the DIY typical ball joint press. KN_TL I did see that tool but I don't for-see myself ever doing ball joints again so I'm hoping I can get this done with some struggle and the 20ton press and be done with it. IF I had read everything I have at this point before I tackled this job I would have been way more careful and retained the OEM joints.

crbnfbr

iTrader: (1)

That one says it's only good up to 03 TL's. It's essentially similar to the ones you can rent at any parts store, and believe me they do not work on our cars.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....roup_ID=675665

That's what you need to press out the lower ball joints on our cars.

crbnfbr

iTrader: (1)

OTC also makes a lower removal adapter part # 554579, that works on 04+ TL.

flyromeo3

be careful placing the axle back in and try not to let it rub on the wheel bearing.
You could damage the magnetic encoder which will trigger your ABS and VSA light.




This is the tool I have used to pop out the ball joints


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-BMW-Ball-Joint-Tie-Rod-End-Separator-Remover-/151377862200?hash=item233ed2de38&item=151377862200&pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&vxp=mtr

05TL10-12

PM me and I can share a dropbox folder w you. This manual should have more than everything you need in it

crbnfbr

iTrader: (1)

Thank you, I didn't want to break out my printer, and scan my manual.

ECRD

That tool set pictured works fine for 04-up TL's to install it. Removing it you need a pointed tip air hammer bit.
No press needed at all.
No removing the entire knuckle.
Easy 20 min per side job if you have the right tools and air.
PM me if you need a step by step

crbnfbr

iTrader: (1)

If you read the description: "Special application adaptor for removal and installation of upper and lower ball joints on many Honda and Acura vehicles. Must be used with BJP1 Master Ball Joint/Universal Joint Press Set."

That tool is used to press out the ball joint out of the knuckle not the lower control arm.

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

the manual is here on acurazine as i've said before...

crbnfbr

iTrader: (1)

I'm just confused as how you use the air hammer, do it basically pound it out? I always thought you needed a special adapter cup like the old Preludes even. Now Snap-on and OTC both make special removal adapters for pressing it out.

FamilyGuy

Where? Only found one for an 04 TL. Is that it?

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

No, there's a Dropbox link with 04-06 and 07-08 service manual. Lemme look for it

paperboy42190

iTrader: (7)

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...hlight=Dropbox

Post #19

If you'd like to thank me, please use the thanks button the right side of this post

KN_TL

iTrader: (3)

I own it and it works fine.

Getting it out is easy, don't have to worry about destroying it.

I had someone use a air hammer with just a spade bit and dinged it all up. That's when I bought this tool and did it myself. Like someone said, very quick and easy.

I couldn't find any later versions either.

Until now.....

KN_TL

iTrader: (3)

Ran out of time on my original reply.

The air hammer essentially vibrates the joint in and out of the knuckle.

To remove, you use the longer shaped thing and it goes over the tapered part that goes into the control arm.

To replace, you use one of the smaller round pieces with the bent arm that it the same or close to the same diameter as the replacement joint.

crbnfbr

iTrader: (1)

Maybe mine doesn't show it in 04 is because they weren't replaceable at the time. You had to buy an entire knuckle. Also, my service manual is for a manual trans TL, and we all know the knuckles are different.

crbnfbr

iTrader: (1)

My Manual only talks about the "special tool" (07AAF-SEPA100) needed to remove the ball joint from the lower arm, and the tool to install the new ball joint (ball joint boot clip guide 07GAG-SD40700).

crbnfbr

iTrader: (1)

I have the service manual and nowhere it mentions anything about using an air hammer. If you could tell me what page # it mentions ypir air hammer I'd appreciate it. I talked to three different Acura/Honda techs and they all said they use the OTC or Snap-on adapter cup.

crbnfbr

iTrader: (1)

Wow, that tool is pretty nifty. If I didn't already have a ball joint press I'd definitely think about getting one. So, I'll probably just buy the OTC 554579 adapter to press it out. I pressed my new ball joint back in without any special adapters, like Snap-on and OTC want you to buy.

glennjr15

Thank you VERY MUCH!

Glenn