mattbatson

I searched and got nothing... dont know if the search function just sucks on this site.

Okay, I'm doing lots of stuff to the car, including new discs, braided lines, pad's, etc...
On the front drivers side disc, the retaining screws were thoroughly buggered and I had to drill them out.
I could drill the hub and them re-tap the retaining screw holes...but it would be some trouble and I have to wonder if they are absolutely necessary.

Only reason I ask is on my road race car (suzuki swift GTI) the screws arent in anymore....

Also, I bought new balljoints, upper and lower from advance...then I get home and am reading in the Haynes manual and they say the uppers are not replaceable and that you just replace the whole upper arm.
How can advance sell me ball joints that arent replaceable?

The lowers it says to remove the whole lower control arm and take it in to a professional to replace the balljoint.

What is up with all this?

thanks,
matt

addiction2bass

with the upper ball joints ya it might be posible to replace just the balljoints BUT NOT RECOMENDED... buy complete upper arms.

as to the lowers they are a HUGE PITA! you basicaly need to remove the whole knuckle off the car.... it took me quite some time to knock the old balljoint out and then with the new one took some beating as well. pop the balljoint in the freezer for awhile which can help slide it inplace. it worked for me along with some grease and a BIG FREAKEN HAMMER!

i also put it in a vise to hold it inplace...

as to the retainer screws not sure. id remove them and just leave them out, just take care to evenly torque down the lug nuts and you should be fine....
my friends EG civic didnt have them in and i dont think my 94EG did either..

itsmejto

oh my oh my oh my, a BFH is not a good replacement tool for a press or even two large sockets and a strong vice.
As for the screws, they really don't do much at all, but tap em out an replace them, isn't there a spare set of holes in that hub anyways ?
Treat yourself to a cheap impact screwdriver, the type you hit with a hammer to loosen rusted small screws.
Then put a dab of "antisieze paste" on everything you might want to undo in the future.

alphalanos

Agree you really shouldnt hammer new parts in. You need a press the install ball joints. And no you dont need retaining screws they jsut hold the rotor on while the wheels are off.

mattbatson

thanks for the info guys.

I'll not worry about the screws as it would take some work with a tap and die and easy out to get them functional again...
and, I did use an impact screwdriver...

For the balljoints it sounds like I'll just pull the arms and bring them in for a local machine shop to take care of for me.

thanks again

addiction2bass

ya sure a press would be best BUT have you ever pulled your lower ball joint?

the angle the ball joint is in there is IMPOSIBLE to press out and in!!!!!




mine was beat up even more because my lower ball joint was really stuck into the LCA!
but still a socket to fit the balljoint and a BFH to beat the old bad one out, sand the inside hole and grease it, then hammer the new one in.... tho ya you should be alittle more gentle. i used a wood block over the top of the ball joint.

but if you dont have general knowledge of replacing balljoints before than id say pull the knuckle and take it into a shop that can. but im sure they will do the same way im tellen ya...
due to the angle of the knuckle no easy way to do it.

O YA.... dont forget to remove the inner clip that locks the balljoint down!!!!!!! not sure what that tool is really called. i just know my dad has a few of them in different types

mattbatson

Ok, I got the balljoints...

Just one more quick question...

I'm doing the inner tie rod's, as one side has lots of play and rattles when you hit a bump in the road.
I know there is a locknut of some sort that may be difficult to get to.
Can it be accessed with the rack in the car?

addiction2bass

o ya the tie rod is very easy to swap out. just lossen the locking nut before removing the tie rod balljoint.
also remember you need a alignment after messing with the tie rods so try not to drive on the car to much before geting the alignment.

mattbatson

I am fine with the outer tie rod ends...I've done many over the years.

Now, I have never done inner tie rods on a honda before.

I also know about the alignment...I do my own with jack stands and string

can the inner be replaced with the rack still in the car?