This is a pretty easy job.The way i do it is take the two 14mm bolts louse from the strut on the inner fender well,then take the 17mm bolt out of the bottom of the strut on the lower control arm this will make it drop down.Then take the 14mm bolt louse that fastens the ball joint to the spindle take a hammer and hit the upper spindle and it all will come apart.Now you will have the two bolts that holds the upper control arm in place these are 17mm bolts drop the strut down and remove the upper control arm now you can go in with the new one.Hope this helps !!!
http://www.ehow.com/video_2327952_use-pickle-fork-remove-upper.html
The Ball joint on a 1996-2000 civic is not a servicable part from Honda; the entire upper control arm must be replaced as a whole unit. Although some places may carry an aftermarket ball joint but quality may differ from an OEM part because the part was never ment to be serviced.
RAISE VEHICLE PLACE ON JACK STANDS. REMOVE COTTER PIN FROM CASTLE NUT LOOSEN CASTLE NUT BUT DO NOT REMOVE COMPLETELY. TAKE A BALLJOINT SEPERATOR OR PICKLE FORY AND SEPERATE JOINT FROM KNUCKLE. STRICKING JOINT SOLIDLY WHERE CONTROL ARM/BALL JOINT MEET KNUCKLE WILL ALSO POP JOINT LOOSE. REMOVE CASTLE NUT LET BALL JOINT LIFT OUT OF KNUCKLE ASSY. REMOVE UPPER CONTROL ARM REAR MOUNTING BOLTS. REINSTALL NEW CONTROL ARM/JOINT ASSY BY FIRST ATTACHING REAR MONTING BOLTS, THEN PLACE JOINT INTO KNUCKLE ASSY ,INSTALL CASTLE NUT,CAREFUL NOT TO OVERTIGHTEN AND TURN TILL YOU CAN INSTALL NEW COTTER PIN THROUGH JOINT STUD.(UPPER CONTROL ARM/JOINT COME AS ASSY,JOINT IS NOT REPLACEBLE SEPERATELY)
Ball joints are a tough replacement. The old ones are pressed in place, and you will need a BIG hammer to bust them free. Installing the new ball joints can also be difficult to accomplish. It's not an impossible task if your mechanically inclined, and the parts are relatively inexpensive compared to other car parts.
SOURCE: need to take off upper ball joint on honda civic
you need a ball joint tool remover you can rent it at most auto parts stores.
SOURCE: 1996 honda civic
The upper ball joint will be fixed.. you have to buy a complete new A-arm.
This was the case on my 00 Civic 5 door.
SOURCE: How to change upper control arm on 1996 Honda Civic DX ?
UPPER CONTROL ARM:
Do not disassemble the upper arm. If the ball joint or bushings are faulty, or the upper arm is damaged, the entire upper arm must be replaced.
Do not disassemble the upper arm. If the ball joint or bushings are faulty, or the upper arm is damaged, the entire upper arm must be replaced.
To install:
Use new self-locking nuts when installing the upper arm and strut.
The bushings on the front lower control arms are replaceable on most models.
This procedure requires the use of a press and may be above the skill range of the average driveway enthusiast. It is recommended that this procedure be done by a qualified machine shop if you are not skilled in the proper use of a press.
It is recommended that both the left and right lower control arm bushings be replaced at the same time. The vehicles handling may become unstable if there are new bushings on one side of the car and worn ones on the other.
SOURCE: Remove an upper ball joint from a 98 Civic
Removal & Installation The upper ball joints cannot be replaced separately. If the ball joints become worn or damaged, the upper control arm must be replaced.
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