This is my first time taking a arms apart on my R. My question is, how do you get the arms to separate from the knuckle. I see the shop manual says you need a special tool but is there a work-around? I was wondering is you could just use a rubber mallot or a c-clamp? Do you need the tool to put it back together.

 

I used a spreader fork that is used on car ball joints to get mine apart. To put them back together I just bolted them back.

 

Just put a piece of wood or something on the bolt and hit it lightly with a hammer, thats how I did mine and it worked fine.

 

I put a piece of wood under the spindal and using a 2x4, hit the lower a-arm with a BIG hammer. Then I put the the piece of wood under the upper a-arm, and hit the spindal with a BIG hammer. When you do it this way, you have to place the wood in an area that won't bend or be damaged(obviously).

 

I would get a ball joint separator (available at your local auto parts store). It saves ALOT of time, and labor. I got one, and it cut my time by a long shot.

 

Thanks guys, I tried hitting it with a hammer and wood, I couldn't hit it too hard since a busted my wrist about a week ago on my R. I'm going to have to get the ball joint separator. Thanks for the tips.