SR20S13

So since honda does not sell the upper ball joint for my 95 civic hatch. I see that aftermarket companys sell them, do they work well or will they blow out after a year?

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Depends on the company.

96hb

Well that's good advice.


I replaced both of mine about a year and a half ago with Autozone parts (don't remember the actual brand, but they were the mid-priced option) and haven't had any issues at all. Most members will probably recommend the Moog brand.

grumblemarc

iTrader: (4)

Maybe if he had asked about a specific company or brand.

SR20S13

From my research ill prob go with moog brand.

instructor74

I thought that the only way to replace the upper ball joint on these was to replace the upper arm assy. Its been years since I have needed to replace upper balljoints. I just went with skunk2 adj camber arms

BryanM.

iTrader: (1)

They do sell the upper control arm actually.
I doubt any name brand ball joint (read: not from ebay) that you will find at an auto parts chain will fail within a year.
Moog is great from my research too.

I just assumed that's what everyone meant. You're right though.

JasonGhostz

NOTE: This is based on my experience with 96-00 Civic models. Online retailers show similar products between 92-95 and 96-00 UBJs, so I can only assume they are attached to the UCA similarly...

Upper Ball Joints can be replaced, but I am still having a difficult time finding the OEM part number for it (similarly for the Tie Rod End Ball Joints). The top of the UCA usually has a dot or line that is supposed to be used to align with the dot(s) on the Ball Joint so that its Shaft will have proper movement range. This is because unlike the Lower Ball Joint (in the Knuckle), the Upper Ball Joint's lateral movement (toward the front and rear of the car, when installed) is restricted.

This presents a potential problem when pressing/driving it out, as a driver/adapter will need to be "saddle-shaped", to prevent the driving force from moving off-center. If you press on the Upper Ball Joint while it is skewed, it's likely you'll bend the UCA. In addition to this, there's not much space around the Upper Ball Joint's "crown" to firmly secure it while driving it out. A perfectly sized pipe may provide proper support.

Moog, Ingalls, Raybestos, and a few other Manufacturers make replacements. Some of the designs allow for adjustments by placing the Upper Ball Joint Shaft off center, which can be turned to move in/outward (with respect to the centerline), and forward/rearward. Additionally, some designs also allow you to raise/lower the UBJ with respect to the UCA.

The quality can range from "will suffice" to "built to endure"... you usually get what you pay for...

But a pair of adjustable UBJs can cost almost as much as a new Front Camber Kit (UCAs). Do some shopping, reconsider your situation, and go for it!

GL, let us know how things go. Have A Great Drive!
JasonGhostz

SR20S13

I know that you can get the UCR, but I only need the ball joint if you could read you would know that.

If you read the helms for it they explain it all. And of course they make a tool just for this type of thing. If you bring it to a shop which I plan to do they can press it out and most likely have the tool.

JasonGhostz

Does the Helm Manual for the 92-95 Civic have a P/N for:
- the UBJ Remover
- the UBJ "Shaft Guide" (or something to secure the shaft upright)
- the UBJ Support Base
(in the Special Tools section)?

If so, Gimme Gimme!! I'd love to get my hands on something "official" instead of take another wasted trip to the hardware store... The Helm Manual for the 96-00 does not have instructions for UBJ removal..

Thanks in advance! Have A Great Drive
JasonGhostz

BryanM.

iTrader: (1)

Sorry my mistake. No need to be a jerk about it.

I honestly thought you meant the UCAs.

96hb

I'm pretty sure replacing the entire arm is the way to replace the UBJ. It's not like it's that expensive and it's very easy. Plus if you do find just the balljoint itself, good luck. Replacing them that way is NOT easy. Save yourself a lot of grief and just get replacement arms.

instructor74

Well it sounds like things have changed a bit like I said the only way I have ever found the ubj for the 92-95 was as a complete assy. Trust me I looked long and hard I hated replace the uca all the time when the ubj went out. That is the whole reason I went with the kit I did, at least they sold a replacement ubj if you needed one. OP good luck with your search

94EG8

Most of the aftermarket ones are junk. They last 6 months to a year and then either seize, have play, or whole ball joint starts moving around in the upper control arm. The OEM Honda ones last. I'm still on both original upper ball joints in my '94 Civic sedan, 226,000 miles (377,000kms) and counting, I keep checking them and there's still no play, ripped boots, etc. Same goes for the tie rod ends. The only thing I have replaced are the lower ball joints at around 180,000 miles. (Used OEM Honda)

If you want to try aftermarket see if you can get Sankei/555 or Moog. Also Those Skunk2 Upper ball joints don't tend to last either, but at least you can buy just the ball joint and they aren't terribly expensive.

SR20S13

well my memory has served me wrong once again it was just for the upper bushings not the upper ball joint.

Khoa_DC2

Yea check your local autozone or napa and make sure you get the right press, and don't get the rubber seal on the new one wedged