7th gen ball joint DIY
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ok, changed my balljoints this weekend, so im gonna make a diy
tools needed:
torque wrench
1/2" impact
air hammer
ball joint sperator instert for air hammer
^^ not needed, but makes things easier
3/8" ratchet x2
set of sockets, metric
ball joints
hammer
pry bar
jack stands
jack
1 and 1/4" socket(axle nut)
ball joint c clamp
anti-seize
ok, parts needed(honda part numbers)
ball joints - 51220-s5a-30 - x2
lower castle nut cotter pin- 90701-sx0-003 - x2
spindle nut(axle nut) - 90305-692-010
castle nut - 90363-s47-000 - x2
ok, first step, jack up car at specified jacking points, and suspend with jack stands(dont forget to loosen lugs first). remove wheel, then ull be here...
after you have done this, remove the axle nut with the 1.25" socket(this may be fairly difficult without an impact, but it is possible), then use a hammer on the end of the axle, to free it from its seat in the bearing, then remove the caliper and bracket in one piece, and it will look like this:
then, remove the two bolts that hold the strut to the knuckle(pictured below) and pull the knuckle free from the strut(which can remain connected to the tie rod and strut tower)
now, under the control arm is a castle nut, which holds the control arm to the knuckle, which is screwed onto the lower portion of the ball joint. use a pair of pliers and remove the cotter pin from the castle nut. then loosen and remove the castle nut from the ball joint
at this point, u can remove the knuckle from the lca, to do this, us an air hammer with ball joint seperator insert, to seperate the knuckle from the LCA, if u dont have an air hammer, use a hammer and pry bar to seperate, place prybar between knuckle and LCA and hammer until it breaks free
this is where the air hammer comes in handy, removing the ball joint from the knuckle
it can be done with a hammer and chisel, but its harder, and takes more time, but possible
before:
after:
now is where ur gonna need the ball joint c-clamp, it is not possible without it, and i always use anti-seize as lube when i install ball joints, so get some of that too
anti-seize
ball joint c-clamp
here is where the impact comes in handy(can be done with a ratchet, but again, its harder, and takes more time). insert the new ball joint into the hole where it will eventually seat, and attatch the ball joint c-clamp onto the knuckle and ball joint with appropriate adapter
this is what the ball joint will look like when it is fully seated in the knuckle
now u can reinsall the knuckle into the lower control arm and strut. if you have problems getting the strut and knuckle lining up because of tension, use a jack between the unibody and the lca to spread them out and make it easier:
now dont foreget to seat the axle into the bearing before installing the knuckle, otherwise it will be a pain. after installing the knuckle back into the LCA and strut, install your new axle nut/spindle nut and tighten
finally, use a flathead screwdriver and a hammer and smash the axle nut into the groove on the axle to keep it from coming loose, reinstall wheel and ur done
]
tools needed:
torque wrench
1/2" impact
air hammer
ball joint sperator instert for air hammer
^^ not needed, but makes things easier
3/8" ratchet x2
set of sockets, metric
ball joints
hammer
pry bar
jack stands
jack
1 and 1/4" socket(axle nut)
ball joint c clamp
anti-seize
ok, parts needed(honda part numbers)
ball joints - 51220-s5a-30 - x2
lower castle nut cotter pin- 90701-sx0-003 - x2
spindle nut(axle nut) - 90305-692-010
castle nut - 90363-s47-000 - x2
ok, first step, jack up car at specified jacking points, and suspend with jack stands(dont forget to loosen lugs first). remove wheel, then ull be here...
after you have done this, remove the axle nut with the 1.25" socket(this may be fairly difficult without an impact, but it is possible), then use a hammer on the end of the axle, to free it from its seat in the bearing, then remove the caliper and bracket in one piece, and it will look like this:
then, remove the two bolts that hold the strut to the knuckle(pictured below) and pull the knuckle free from the strut(which can remain connected to the tie rod and strut tower)
now, under the control arm is a castle nut, which holds the control arm to the knuckle, which is screwed onto the lower portion of the ball joint. use a pair of pliers and remove the cotter pin from the castle nut. then loosen and remove the castle nut from the ball joint
at this point, u can remove the knuckle from the lca, to do this, us an air hammer with ball joint seperator insert, to seperate the knuckle from the LCA, if u dont have an air hammer, use a hammer and pry bar to seperate, place prybar between knuckle and LCA and hammer until it breaks free
this is where the air hammer comes in handy, removing the ball joint from the knuckle
it can be done with a hammer and chisel, but its harder, and takes more time, but possible
before:
after:
now is where ur gonna need the ball joint c-clamp, it is not possible without it, and i always use anti-seize as lube when i install ball joints, so get some of that too
anti-seize
ball joint c-clamp
here is where the impact comes in handy(can be done with a ratchet, but again, its harder, and takes more time). insert the new ball joint into the hole where it will eventually seat, and attatch the ball joint c-clamp onto the knuckle and ball joint with appropriate adapter
this is what the ball joint will look like when it is fully seated in the knuckle
now u can reinsall the knuckle into the lower control arm and strut. if you have problems getting the strut and knuckle lining up because of tension, use a jack between the unibody and the lca to spread them out and make it easier:
now dont foreget to seat the axle into the bearing before installing the knuckle, otherwise it will be a pain. after installing the knuckle back into the LCA and strut, install your new axle nut/spindle nut and tighten
finally, use a flathead screwdriver and a hammer and smash the axle nut into the groove on the axle to keep it from coming loose, reinstall wheel and ur done
]
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ball joints were moving excessively, as well as making noise, it was time, i got 120k almost on my vic, and was on original ball joints
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time was 3 hours about, if u want to know how to check them, jack up one side of ur car till the wheel is off the ground, then put a pry bar inbetween the lca and the knuckle, where the ball joint is, and if there is movement, then ur ball joint is bad, no movement and its good
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Thank you for this DIY! Trying to sell my civic and a shop just found a bad balljoint! Time to order my ball joints and C clamp!
This couldn't have come at a better time!
This couldn't have come at a better time!
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I just did mine this weekend too. Spent like 9 hours on em because of various hassles.
You can just bang the old ones out with hammer.
You can just bang the old ones out with hammer.
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Just FYI, If you have problems getting the axle out, use the tool on the right. IT is a ball joint separator but fits on the hub perfectly. YOu also can use it to push in the ball joint if you don't have a ball joint C clamp.
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Very nice DIY. Rep for you (Like you need it :-P ).
You say you have 120K - what is the typical lifespan for ball joints? I am still on original shocks / struts at 117k and I am going to order some HP blues + eibachs. Wondering if while the wheels are off I may as well just do the ball joints.
Also, are there any aftermarket parts with grease fittings that will outlast OEM? Any brands with a good reputation and part numbers?
Edit: Not sure if the brand has a good reputation, but Moog makes an aftermarket ball joint with grease fitting - so you can re-grease and it will last longer. Part number is K90332 and I saw them around $54 each. I was looking on majestic and I still don't see a way to buy just the ball joint from honda, so I'm assuming it is still knuckle only, meaning you have to buy an entire knuckle to do the ball joints if you wanted to go oem. lame.
You say you have 120K - what is the typical lifespan for ball joints? I am still on original shocks / struts at 117k and I am going to order some HP blues + eibachs. Wondering if while the wheels are off I may as well just do the ball joints.
Also, are there any aftermarket parts with grease fittings that will outlast OEM? Any brands with a good reputation and part numbers?
Edit: Not sure if the brand has a good reputation, but Moog makes an aftermarket ball joint with grease fitting - so you can re-grease and it will last longer. Part number is K90332 and I saw them around $54 each. I was looking on majestic and I still don't see a way to buy just the ball joint from honda, so I'm assuming it is still knuckle only, meaning you have to buy an entire knuckle to do the ball joints if you wanted to go oem. lame.
Last edited by reddawnman; 05-30-2008 at 12:45 PM.
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there really isnt a set number of miles for ball joints, they just go bad when the go bad, i knew mine were bad because my steering wheel would shake at 60-70 with perfectly balanced tires. also keep in mind im on neuspeed race springs, and they are stiff as hell, so it makes suspension components go bad faster
i want to say moog makes performance ball joints for our cars, but i dont know where to get them, i know they run about 55 bucks each tho, compared to the 30 i paid each for the oem ones. but they dont have grease fittings. i dont see why you couldnt put grease fittings into them tho, it would be pretty easy...
i want to say moog makes performance ball joints for our cars, but i dont know where to get them, i know they run about 55 bucks each tho, compared to the 30 i paid each for the oem ones. but they dont have grease fittings. i dont see why you couldnt put grease fittings into them tho, it would be pretty easy...
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Re: 7th gen ball joint DIY
i have a question that might be related to my balljoints
i JUST replaced my clutch and for some reason the car developed this clicking sound. everything seems fine when it comes to the steering components. i know i definatly need to chance the complience bushings for sure they're completly broken, so i just ordered new ones from Energy Suspension. its not much of a clicking sound as much as its a metal on metal (tack tack tack tack tack)...as if the axel was hitting something or the balljoints are broken...i have no clue. but its prettly loud clicking/ticking sound. when i looked under the car..the balljoints have grease all over them as if the boot is broken or something. would this be the cause of my problem?
i JUST replaced my clutch and for some reason the car developed this clicking sound. everything seems fine when it comes to the steering components. i know i definatly need to chance the complience bushings for sure they're completly broken, so i just ordered new ones from Energy Suspension. its not much of a clicking sound as much as its a metal on metal (tack tack tack tack tack)...as if the axel was hitting something or the balljoints are broken...i have no clue. but its prettly loud clicking/ticking sound. when i looked under the car..the balljoints have grease all over them as if the boot is broken or something. would this be the cause of my problem?
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no, balljoints dont click, sounds like a cv axle, what u want to do is put ur car in reverse, turn the wheel all the way to one side, and drive. if the clicking gets worse, u have a bad cv axle. either way id bet on cv axles. but i would replace all of this at the same time, compliance bushings, cv axkes, and ball joints, because u have it all apart anyway
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sorry man, thats kinda how it goes, but i did all thsoe things at 3 diff times, and hence 3 times the work, do it all at the same time, itll cost u, but itll cost u less time
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You can get Moog at almost any parts store. We sell them where i work and they are fantastic, a little more expensive then the average chassis parts but they come with a lifetime warranty and all have grease fittings so yes you can re-grease them if needed. A company called Federal Mogul sells Moog and 50 other big names including Wagner and Bca bearings, so if you find someone that sells auto parts then guaranteed they carry Moog.
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Moog are $60+ EACH online. I got Three Five (555) ones from Napa, which Skipbarber says is a good company. If you look online there are Sankei ones for $20 each, Mevotech for $50 for 2, and Moog at $60+ each.
Mine finally went at 85k, but probably were weak before that. Driving in Baltimore, DC and autox's didn't help matters.
Green, ever notice how we do similar DIYs?
Mine finally went at 85k, but probably were weak before that. Driving in Baltimore, DC and autox's didn't help matters.
Green, ever notice how we do similar DIYs?
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Re: 7th gen ball joint DIY
Did this diy this past sunday...came out great but YOU DONT NEED THE BALL JOINT INSERTION TOOL TO DO IT. So dont scare people into thinking that they need it and it isnt hard to remove to ball joint with a hammer and chisel. I dont know how strong i am but about 10 hard hits and its out. I got them back in by seating the balljoint in and then placing a thick piece of 2x4 on top of it and whacked it in easily(of course i used the antiseize)