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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?

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

 
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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."

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

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

 
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and this did not concern you?

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

 
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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.

 
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what rating does yours have?

 
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5 stars

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

problem solved?

 
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Thanks, you've been a great help.

 
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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

 
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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.

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

 
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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

 
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^ wow way to make lemonade.

your a glass half full personality aren't you?

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

 
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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.

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

 
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^ sounds like a good plan to me!

 
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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?

 
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how long did the original ball joints last?

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

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

 
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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.

 
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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.......

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

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

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