ball joint dust boot or new arm replacement
#1
ball joint dust boot or new arm replacement
I got about 100k on my Hon-stud and there's a tear on my front upper ball joint dust boot, should I replace the boot or am I better off getting a new arm/joint?
Dealer wants $140 parts/labor to replace the boot, seems a bit high as I believe the boot is pretty cheap. I figure maybe just get a new arm, which is quite a bit more, but if I'm going to have to replace it soon anyway I thought maybe it'd be better to do it now.
Thanks in advance
Dealer wants $140 parts/labor to replace the boot, seems a bit high as I believe the boot is pretty cheap. I figure maybe just get a new arm, which is quite a bit more, but if I'm going to have to replace it soon anyway I thought maybe it'd be better to do it now.
Thanks in advance
#2
Honda-Tech Member
Re: ball joint dust boot or new arm replacement
Quality aftermarket control arms can be had for $50 to $60. Probably a half hour shop labor but easy to do yourself. Don't bother with just the boot for $140.
#3
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Re: ball joint dust boot or new arm replacement
agree that this is easy to remove/replace
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR2f4xC2spY
also, think about buying both sides since I had to replace one side after a year of the other...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/94-97-Honda-...167072&vxp=mtr
can get a set of 2 now for the price of one these days since there's soo many vehicles out there on the road.
weird that the youtube vid had to reuse those bolts to the body of the car; most newer replacement control arms already have them on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR2f4xC2spY
also, think about buying both sides since I had to replace one side after a year of the other...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/94-97-Honda-...167072&vxp=mtr
can get a set of 2 now for the price of one these days since there's soo many vehicles out there on the road.
weird that the youtube vid had to reuse those bolts to the body of the car; most newer replacement control arms already have them on.
#4
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Re: ball joint dust boot or new arm replacement
also, what that youtube vid didn't stress, torque specs:
Install the upper arm, tightening the flange nuts to 47 ft. lbs. (65 Nm).
Connect the upper ball joint. Tighten the nut to 32 ft. lbs. (44 Nm)
Connect the upper ball joint. Tighten the nut to 32 ft. lbs. (44 Nm)
#5
Re: ball joint dust boot or new arm replacement
Thanks a lot for the help Ricebike and Roader.
How long do ball joints usually last? From what I've read it can vary a lot.
Also, if I wanted to just replace the boot, do I need that Honda tool or can it be done easily enough without it?
Thanks again.
How long do ball joints usually last? From what I've read it can vary a lot.
Also, if I wanted to just replace the boot, do I need that Honda tool or can it be done easily enough without it?
Thanks again.
#6
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Re: ball joint dust boot or new arm replacement
you mean the ball joint removal tool? it's not really a dealer part; you can rent them from advance auto parts or autozone
but, if you watched that youtube vid, you can just keep the nut on at the very end, then "shock" the joint with a hammer until it pops off... don't use those pickle forks if you're just going to replace the dust boot.
did you check for "play"? if there is play, might as well get the whole unit instead of a boot
http://www.************.com/forums/s...d.php?t=343393
if you think it's ok, go get a boot & replace it, only after washing the joint down well with brakeclean...
then, you'll need a greasegun with a special syringe-type attachment
ps: uppers are 3x more easier than the lower ball joints
but, if you watched that youtube vid, you can just keep the nut on at the very end, then "shock" the joint with a hammer until it pops off... don't use those pickle forks if you're just going to replace the dust boot.
did you check for "play"? if there is play, might as well get the whole unit instead of a boot
http://www.************.com/forums/s...d.php?t=343393
if you think it's ok, go get a boot & replace it, only after washing the joint down well with brakeclean...
then, you'll need a greasegun with a special syringe-type attachment
ps: uppers are 3x more easier than the lower ball joints
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