Ball Joints

[hondrarr]

Hi, My wife owns a 7th Generation Civic Sport. At 50k miles it required new balls joints but because honda do not sell these separately the full arms needed replacing costing a shit load of $$$. £350. This isn't what i expect of a honda....I bought it because i thought it would be reliable and the parts , although being more expensive would last longer. Has anyone else had this problem? I read that it could be because she is running 205/40/17R tire/wheels. The Originals were 195/65/15R. Someone mentioned that the bigger wheels stress the suspension more. Another guy suggested replacing the wheels with the originals (costly as i'll probably lose money as the current wheels have good rubber on.) Another guy suggested buying lower springs, as this would reduce ride movement, does this make sense? What are everyones thoughts?? I'm no mechanic so i won't pretend to know all

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[robbclark1]

You can aftermarket ones (i.e. generic, non-Honda stuff) but I don't know how to change them. PM skipbarber about what parts to get.

It has nothing to do with the wheels and don't lower the car if she doesn't want it. Lowering the car will add more stress to the ball joints.

Ball joints go on every car. Honda is known for reliability in engines, but wearable parts are wearable parts.

[Stratablak314]

I'd recommend going back to 15s. The bigger wheels probably didn't add to the ball joint stress, but if you're not goin to drop it on your 17s then just stick to the stock setup. 40 series tires are pretty rough on our cars. That might be a little harsher on your struts than cushy 55s or whatever come on the 15s. Its less rubber absorbing the bumps and more of your wheel jolting up your strut. I'm lowered on 17s with 215/45 and i've had no supsension troubles, but I have aftermarket struts. Maybe those will help after the new joints are replaced. But believe me, if you think the stock suspension is boucy wait til you lower it a bit.

[hondrarr]

Originally Posted by Stratablak314

but if you're not goin to drop it on your 17s then just stick to the stock setup.

So you'd recommend that if she sticks with 17's that she drops it?

You said the ride would be a lot bouncier once lowered - would replacing the springs with different ones resolve this? if so can you or anyone recommend a good brand, nothing top of the line but something good to do the job as it isn't a ferrari

I assume there are no performance/aftermarket parts that replace the oem honda ball joints?

I don't know if the civic sport has a firmer suspension but it does feel pretty bumpy even on normal roads. When you wheel spin in the car (something i generally try to avoid, being a bit lame and bad for ones car) it hops quite a bit, is this because of a firm suspension or a soft suspension? or because the tires are real grippy(being wide)? It doesn't drop any smoke but it hops like the hulk is doing fast bench presses with the car.

[hondrarr]

Originally Posted by robbclark1

You can aftermarket ones (i.e. generic, non-Honda stuff) but I don't know how to change them. PM skipbarber about what parts to get.

Ball joints go on every car. Honda is known for reliability in engines, but wearable parts are wearable parts.

I'll send him a PM. thanks!

I suppose you're right, We bought the car because of the reliability in the engine/gearbox department. Previously had a VW that the gearbox went on, only 5 years old and less than 50k. Disappointing as well as dangerous, wouldn't like a box full of chewed up cogs while hitting 90mph.

The drive and ride in the sport/type r/s line are supreme, i prefer over the focus and that's saying a lot as the focus handling is great.

[Stratablak314]

Originally Posted by hondrarr

would replacing the springs with different ones resolve this?

I don't know if the civic sport has a firmer suspension but it does feel pretty bumpy even on normal roads. When you wheel spin in the car (something i generally try to avoid, being a bit lame and bad for ones car) it hops quite a bit, is this because of a firm suspension or a soft suspension? or because the tires are real grippy(being wide)? It doesn't drop any smoke but it hops like the hulk is doing fast bench presses with the car.

To lower the car you'd have to replace the oem springs with an aftermarket brand ($150-250), Or by a coil over system ($1000 +). Then to prevent your oem struts/shocks from going bad with your replacement springs, you'll need aftermarket shocks ($350-500). Then after your new spring/shock set up or coilovers your car will look better (assuming you pick a spring with the amount of lowering you want) and be more responsive but will ride pretty stiff and bouncy. There's tons of info on here about all of that.

As far as the ball joints, like robbclark said, they have several different replacement brands, but i wouldn't know how to go about replacing it. Call NAPA or Autozone. haha

Oh yea.. the hopping when you spin your tires is because the car is front wheel drive. You don't feel that in a rear wheel drive car.