So Upper balljoint snapped last night....
#1
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: pa, usa
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So Upper balljoint snapped last night....
Was driving in the city when all of a sudden i heard a bang and the steering got really stiff, managed to drive it like 2 miles to home and it seems like nothing else broke, had i known what it was that broke i probably wouldnt have even tried to drive it home (i drove like 5mph w/ the flashers on)
I have the service manual but it only has replacement info on the front lower ball joints, is the procedure the same for the upper?
#3
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: nigeria
Posts: 2,756
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: So Upper balljoint snapped last night....
Youll need an upper control arm. The ball joint and arm are one piece. Just jack it up, remove the control arm bolts in the bay, remove the remaining stud from the knuckle and put the new one in place, then bolt the ball joint to the knuckle and just finger tighten the control arm bolts then raise the suspension with a jack to normal ride height and torque the control arm bolts in the bay.
#4
Honda-Tech Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lake Charles, Louisiana
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: So Upper balljoint snapped last night....
^^^^ You're going to have to hammer the **** out of that stud that remains in the spindle. If you can't remove it after hitting it for 30 seconds straight, take a 30 second break and then beat the **** out of it again.
#5
Re: So Upper balljoint snapped last night....
I've done this before.
You can press your upper joint out of the UCA!! It's cheaper that way but I'd recommend just buying the new assembly since it will be easier. It's up to your. It was like $40 for the joint alone versus $95 for a 5th gen Civic hatch.
To press the ball portion of the upper joint out, I used a bike peg and a vice, and I would recommend having someone hold the knuckle while you press the threaded portion of the joint into the empty cavity of the bike peg, pipe, etc.
You can press your upper joint out of the UCA!! It's cheaper that way but I'd recommend just buying the new assembly since it will be easier. It's up to your. It was like $40 for the joint alone versus $95 for a 5th gen Civic hatch.
To press the ball portion of the upper joint out, I used a bike peg and a vice, and I would recommend having someone hold the knuckle while you press the threaded portion of the joint into the empty cavity of the bike peg, pipe, etc.
Trending Topics
#10
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: pa, usa
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: So Upper balljoint snapped last night....
So Honda designs this to just be replaced as an assembly, upper control arm and all?
thanks for the replies all, what is really scary is the night before i was driving around the curves on 76 outside Philadelphia....that could have ended terribly then
thanks for the replies all, what is really scary is the night before i was driving around the curves on 76 outside Philadelphia....that could have ended terribly then
#11
Honda-Tech Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Firefox4life, So CA
Posts: 7,703
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: So Upper balljoint snapped last night....
First of all, at least you are safe and your car is safe.
If one part of it breaks, replace the whole assembly. (Mainly because the Upper Ball joint is pressed in, if you have a tool to press it out, it is easier to press it out and replace with either another upper balljoint, or adjustable balljoint).
But from my experience, it was easier to go with a whole new assembly. However, I have myself pressed out the upper balljoint and fitted a new one in. All it takes is a vice, some sockets, and alot of heat from a propane torch.
Hopefully that helps.
If one part of it breaks, replace the whole assembly. (Mainly because the Upper Ball joint is pressed in, if you have a tool to press it out, it is easier to press it out and replace with either another upper balljoint, or adjustable balljoint).
But from my experience, it was easier to go with a whole new assembly. However, I have myself pressed out the upper balljoint and fitted a new one in. All it takes is a vice, some sockets, and alot of heat from a propane torch.
Hopefully that helps.
#12
Honda-Tech Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: pa, usa
Posts: 251
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: So Upper balljoint snapped last night....
yea thanks alot guys, the autozone by me has 2 in stock. i am just gona go pick up a whole new assembly. thanks for all the help
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Vagitarian
Honda CRX / EF Civic (1988 - 1991)
22
05-30-2012 05:06 AM