I’m putting in new hub and bearings on front passenger side, currently taking the knuckle off and I’m stuck on getting the knuckle off the ball joint. I got impatient and hammered down on the stud, and off course messed up the thread. I’ve ordered an M14x1.5 split die thread chaser to hopefully fix that. We’ll see. I still haven’t gotten the knuckle off the ball joint.

1. Can I replace the ball joint or is it integrated into the control arm?

2. What options do I have besides continuing to hammer on the stud to get the knuckle separated from the ball joint? It’s been soaked in pb blaster from every direction, control arm elevated with a jack and hammered on the tongue of the knuckle.

 

There are tools designed specifically for this job, ranging from simple forks that you drive in with a hammer to spreaders/separators that you activate with a manual or impact wrench.

There's no need to buy unless you'll be doing this regularly. Advance Auto Parts rents many tools, including the forks described above. I think O'Reilly does as well.

 

So the ball joint on the gen 2 is not integrated into the control arm and can be replaced independently?

 

No idea. I've never investigated that question for the Fit.

I would check the service manual as well as parts websites (e.g., RockAuto, HondaPartsNow, etc.) If you can buy a ball joint individually, you can almost certainly replace it individually. I will note that when you're dealing with a 2011 car, assuming the LCAs haven't been replaced recently, the inner bushings are almost certainly worn as well.

If the ball joint is removable from the LCA, there are tools for that job as well, and they can also be rented.

 

It isn't, they're welded in, or at least mine were. Replace the entire control arm, they go in pretty easy.

 

ACDelco LCAs on rockauto for $110 right now. Pretty good price.

 

Most cars I've worked on lately, it's easier and cheaper to just buy the entire LCA with bushings and joints pre-installed than try and remove and replace the joints and bushings.