skhell

Hi guys,

A while ago I started to get some knocking from the front suspension of my 1.8, year 2000 Accord (European version). I replaced the anti-roll bar links and the steering outer tie rods, and the knocking is now much less than it was before. I suspect that my upper ball joints, and probably the lower ball joints are bad and I plan to replace them. I will also replace the bushings of of both upper and lower arms, after all, they have 16 years!

About the upper ball joint, I am not sure if it an be replaced or if I have to replace the entire control arm. Honda doesn't sell the upper ball joint neither the upper bushings, only the entire arm. Still, there are some good quality after market parts that provide the upper ball joint as well as the bushings, such as Moog or Lemforder.

I have been looking closely to the ball joints, and they seem that they can be pressed out if you own the correct tool, such as a "Ball Joint Press", which I plan to get one: 10pc Ball Joint Service Kit Remover Separator Adaptor 4x4 Garage Tool Car Van | eBay

Has anyone replaced only the upper ball joint or bushings from the upper ball joint without replacing the entire control arm?
Take a look at the close up photos of the upper ball joints. They look that can be replaced, but I can't seem to find anyone in the web that has replaced them. People usually replace the entire control arm!

holmesnmanny

I can't say I've ever seen or heard of anyone even trying to replace the upper ball joints. Just get another upper control arm. They all come with ball joints.

thefew

When I was doing front end work on my 1990 Honda Accord Wagon it was cheaper to just buy the entire upper control arm. The only thing I had to do was tighten up everything to torque spec. The two bushings are not torqued out of the box. Be mindful of the ball joints and castle nuts...the "quality" parts from some after market brands use pretty pliable, ie soft easily damaged metal. Good luck. I prefer OEM. Autozone competes by offering a lifetime warranty, and I have made use of that lifetime warranty more than once over the years.

StokelesS_g2

Wonder if Autozone exsists where the OP is from.

I would either just replace the whole upper control arm like holmesnmanny said or get a camber kit like this one. 98-02 Honda Accord/99-03 Acura TL/01-03 Acura CL Upper CamberControl Arms(Various Color Options)