Telecatster

As the title states I have a few updates to some of my recent and past post. Link posted and associated update follows.

1) https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/ball-joint-tie-rod-boot-questions-3165935/ and 2) https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/lower-ball-joint-oem-replacement-3163371/

I ended up letting a mechanic do the ball joint and both (DS and PS) tie rod bellows boot. I went to Autozone this morning to borrow a ball joint presser tool and turned out the sales associate I talked to had a 1998 civic ex coupe (same year/model/type as mine). He said the Autozone press tool will not work out well for my car. The mechanic I spoke with told me the same thing previously when I told him I was going to try it myself. Also, I do not have a socket that fits the axle nut and that would have been an added expense.

I kind of feel like a puss for not doing it myself, but the mechanic charged me $55 labor for the ball joint replacement (I had the Musashi part in hand) and $50 labor for both bellows boots. I purchased the Raybestos boots and they are lifetime warranted. Local Honda dealer price is $30 per boot and I didn't want to wait for them to be shipped if I ordered them on-line. I brought the car to Firestone afterwards and got a four wheel alignment done. I purchased their lifetime (of the car) alignment plan.

3) https://honda-tech.com/forums/suspension-brakes-54/control-arm-bushings-replacement-vs-frequent-tire-rotation-3130166/

Both the mechanic I used to replace the ball joints/ bellows boots and the guy at Firestone that did the alignment told me the front and rear arm bushing look good visually and mechanically. The jerk-off I used to to do the alignment in (#3) thread must have wanted me to keep coming back to him unnecessarily for his $$$ benefit.

Out of curiosity I asked the mechanic that did the ball joint what his labor only price would be to remove the control arms and press in new bushings. He quoted me $60 per arm which seems like a good price. Thankfully, at this point they are still in good condition.

3) https://honda-tech.com/forums/wheel-tire-56/195-75-14-set-98-civic-coupe-3129816/ and 4) https://honda-tech.com/forums/suspension-brakes-54/ways-decrease-roll-without-decreasing-height-3164452/

I still have the 195/75/14's on and I plan to use them until the end of their tread life. There's both pros and cons to them mostly due to the higher side walls. Pros: softens ride, takes bumps better, elevates car a bit, Fills the wheel well without lowering car (looks like a lowered car's tire clearance). Cons: inaccurate speedometer, doesn't handle as well as with stock size, a bit longer to stop and especially on wet roads.

After these current tires wear out I am definitely getting 15" rims and either 195/50/15s or 205/55/15's. Willing to give up (potentially) mpg's for better traction and performance. I'll try the rims/tires first before adding a sway bar.

5) https://honda-tech.com/forums/showth...3114184&page=2

Seven months later and it's still not leaking.

6) https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/intermittent-squeaking-noise-possibly-transmission-3120229/

Noise went away about 3 months seemingly as the weather got hotter. I hope it doesn't return in the brutal Florida winter(s).. Lol.

7) https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/my-civic-jerks-me-3156360/

Car is still doing this and I though it may have been related to the control/trailer arm bushings. But, since they are in good shape than they are not the culprit. I visually and mechanically (applied throttle while in gear and brake pedal depressed) and the engine didn't lift much at all. Jerking is at it's worst when the car in 1st gear and decelerating then accelerating.

Sorry about the book I just wrote and any replies, comments, suggestions to any of those threads welcomed.

sweesiong78

The Autozone/generic ball joint press tool will work but you need a set of Honda adapters


I dont know if you have O'reillys in FL but my I rented the autozone type tool together with the above adapters from my local O'reillys and they worked a treat, they also rent out the 32mm axle nut socket.

FWIW...even with the above tools it is still a tedious job as you have to take out the knuckle and then assemble the 15lb tool on the 20 lb knuckle and then use an impact to press the ball joints off and install. So $55 is a steal to save you all that labor headache.

OTOH....$50 I think is a bit high for replacing the bellows...all you need to do is separate the outer tie rod from the inner tie rod so that you can slip off the old ones and slip in the new ones. But I suppose $100 total for the whole job (ball joint and bellows) is fair. I just did ALL my suspension components (control arms, ball joints, tie rods, shocks ) in the last two months so all this is still fresh in my mind.

Out of curiosity, since you were replacing the bellows, did you ask the mechanic to check the tie rod (inner and outer ) for play, since if the bellows were broken, it is likely outside dirt would have worked its way into the inner ball joints.

Former User

I had no problem using the AutoZone ball joint press tool and adaptor kit. Here's my thread:

https://honda-tech.com/forums/honda-civic-del-sol-1992-2000-1/97-civic-dx-steering-wheel-jitter-%7E70mph-bad-lower-ball-joint-2957974/

sweesiong78

just saw that you used the tool using a hand socket wrench...LOL you must have been pretty tired after wrenching on the tool to take off and install both ball joints!

Telecatster

" Out of curiosity, since you were replacing the bellows, did you ask the mechanic to check the tie rod (inner and outer ) for play, since if the bellows were broken, it is likely outside dirt would have worked its way into the inner ball joints."

Both the mechanic's shop and Firestone said the front end parts are all in good shape and without play in steering.

What made the decision easier to bring to it a mechanic was:
A) His price
B) I would have needed to spend for tools that I might not use that often
C) My time and possible frustration if things didn't go well.

Former User

Not sure what tools you have, but all tools, including the socket you mentioned, can be rented free at AutoZone or other auto parts chain stores. Check the store websites. The list of free rental tools available is pretty extensive.

Former User

It was pretty easy and quick actually. You can use an impact wrench as well with the set up I showed.

Telecatster

Thanks Ron I will check that out. There's an Autozone less than a 1/4 mile from my house so it's convenient if I need something during mid repair and I can walk or bike there. I (free) rented there a couple times before, but I have not looked into it extensively.