mapdog

I just replaced both front ball joints about 6 months ago. I noticed over the weekend that the driver's side rubber is completely destroyed. What could have caused this to happen?

mikey1

i hate to even ask......what brand are they?

mapdog

Whatever brand they sell at Advance Auto Parts. I'm not sure I saw a specific brand name on the box.

The Advance website says they are "Driveworks."

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

Get some Moog ones. They have nice thick rubber boots that will last.

mapdog

Wow. All this work because of cheepo balljoints? The thing is they are supposedly lifetime warranty.

mikey1

and this did not concern you?

mapdog

No because it said lifetime warranty right on the receipt. They are Driveworks.

mapdog

On the Advance website the Moog ball joint is available for 2x the cost but it had a bunch of 1 star reviews. I see now that it was because of zerk fitting on ABS applications.

mikey1

what rating does yours have?

mapdog

5 stars

mikey1

okay.....so use the lifetime warranty and return them for new ones

problem solved?

mapdog

Thanks, you've been a great help.

mikey1

what do u want me to say?

you bought cheap aftermarket parts,

so you now have two options.....use your lifetime warranty and replace your ball joints every 6 - 12 months, or purchase quality ball joints such as OEM/honda

mapdog

What point are you trying to make? I get it from about the second reply. I walked into Advance and asked for ball joints. I got screwed on the deal and there is no need to rub it in.

alex_nyc

Is it possible that the rubber was damaged during installation? or was excessive grease put in?

CIV1C

Look on the bright side. If you did the work yourself you just wasted your time. You can get free ones, take those and sell them on craigslist. Buy moog ones. You'll lose maximum $40 plus your time if you can't sell the free ones on Craigslist. You'd have to buy the moog ones anyway. Anything you sell the free ones for is a bonus

Stock 99

^ wow way to make lemonade.

your a glass half full personality aren't you?

ezone

Damn, I was making the popcorn and I missed all the action!

mapdog

I think more than likely, it was just the cheepo ball joints I bought from Advance. I was fooled by their "lifetime warranty." I'll get the Moogs soon and lick my wounds.

zjeproks

Return the Driveworks at Advance Auto for warranty but ask for store credit instead. Order the Moog from Amazon for $27.39 each.

GolNat

iTrader: (7)

^ sounds like a good plan to me!

mikey1

mapdog

Okay, so I got burned by Advance and most have correctly pointed out that it'll only cost me my time.

So here's my question:

Moog -- I've been told they have a thick boot and will last
TRW -- Also available from a few sources. Looks good; I trust the name and they appear to more like the OEM Honda (no zerk fitting).
Honda OEM -- Not sure who makes these, they are missing from the schematic on most Honda parts websites (under knuckle)

Which would you choose?

mikey1

how long did the original ball joints last?

mapdog

I think I know where you're going with that. Well over 200k miles.

mikey1

seems like an easy decision to me.....but its your dime

mapdog

My worry is the OEM civic ball joint was pressed in without any C clip. The aftermarket ones come with a C clip. I don't know if the press in/press out process is causing any looseness that will eventually lead to separation.

mikey1

you need to test the size of the opening before installing a new ball joint, if the opening is too big then you need to replace the entire knuckle

read the attached bulletin.......

mikey1

you dont wanna end up like this guy......

https://www.civicforums.com/forums/4...er-assmnt.html

mapdog

Awesome info. Thank you. I wondered if it could ever slip.