This screw is on the front passenger side. it is loose and causes a vibration. I know that because i tightend it a little and the car and steering wheel vibrates less now. But i cant tighten it all the way because something is stripped. I wanted to know what this is and how can i fix it. By the way its a 95 civic cx.

 

That is the ball joint stud. If it is not stripped too bad you might be able to chase the thread with a tap and die. However, the best thing to do, and safest, is to replace the part or have it replaced. A shop should charge about one hour labor plus parts for the job if properly equipped. And, there should be a 'cotter pin' in there as well. Keeps the nut from falling off and letting you DIE.

 

so if i were to replace it im looking to buy a ball joint stud?

 

if thats your car youre definitely missing a cotter pin(i am too but i STILL havent fixed it with my lazy ***). so the threads on the stud is stripped? have you taken the castle nut off?

 

Like the first post said, if it's stripped, I'd have a shop chase out the threads.

If that "disconnects" while you're doing 80mph on the highway you're going to have an interesting predicament on your hands.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by iVteC_PoWeR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">if thats your car youre definitely missing a cotter pin(i am too but i STILL havent fixed it with my lazy ***). so the threads on the stud is stripped? have you taken the castle nut off?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I had bought the car as a shell and put a motor in it recently. i had a friend that knows all bout that stuff help me do all this, since i am new to this stuff. when we put the axles in we had to mess with the upper ball joint but not sure if we messed with that screw. would i be able to purchase a cotter pin at the auto store?

 

Now you all have me worried to check and see if I have the pin. I've never looked at that ball joint before, but I guess I should to be safe.

 

you actually should take a look at it.

ive never replaced mine since my clutch install about 10k miles ago and i still remind myself constantly i need to get it done.

a bunch of cotter pins can be had for just a few bucks and last i checked i think autozone carried some.

 

Safety is important. At least, don't come into MY lane when your stud snaps off. If you have been driving with a loose nut, the stud gets stressed in the wrong way and can become weak. If that sucker breaks your wheel will flop wildy all over the place. I'd replace that sucker.

 

I've lost a castlenut due to a missing codder pin before. Believe me, it's no joke, and a serious regret at not spending $.05 to get one in there. Violent things happen, even at low speeds, when you lose a castlenut holding a control arm on.

Get that fixed ASAP

 

Wheres a place i can purcahse a new one? Im looking for a "ball joint stud"?

 

Local auto shop, no problem.

 

If I had the money I would have no problem taking it to a local shop, but with school coming up soon I'm kinda tight on the money right now. So is there any place I could find a replacement part and if so what part am I loking for, other than a cotter pin.

 

You're actually looking for the ball joint. The stud is the part of the joint that the nut threads onto. You have to remove the axle from the knuckle and press the ball joint out and press the new one in. Do it correctly or you can damage the new one as you install it.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 95sloweg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Wheres a place i can purcahse a new one? Im looking for a "ball joint stud"? </TD></TR></TABLE>

its just a ball joint

 

So if i replace the ball joint, that nut will go on properly?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by phootbag &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You're actually looking for the ball joint. The stud is the part of the joint that the nut threads onto. You have to remove the axle from the knuckle and press the ball joint out and press the new one in. Do it correctly or you can damage the new one as you install it. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Doesn't that also require a ball joint press?

If it does need that you will have to rent one from the car parts store.

 

to replace the ball joint, you have to press it out. hence the need for a shop, or you can rent/buy a ball joint removal kit. you will need an air or electric impact wrench. cause most of the time, the stud will spin once the nut gets on there. the reason i say it wil spin is because most companies have gone to a nylon lock nut and gotten rid of the castle nut concept. i know when i replaced the ball joints on my 90 crx they were locknut style. get the manual from my sig below and learn how to do it the right way.

 

probably will neet an impact to get it off without spinning, but there is no neet for a press to install or remove it you just need a pickle fork to remove it and tightening it with the impact will be sufficient for the install

 

autozone charged me 150 for the press ******** sven though i got it back and ended up not having to use it because i chased the threads the the castle nut itself

 

I will go to the auto store to buy new ball joints and replace them tomorrow. Thanks to everyone that responded.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by gtlaw1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">probably will neet an impact to get it off without spinning, but there is no neet for a press to install or remove it you just need a pickle fork to remove it and tightening it with the impact will be sufficient for the install</TD></TR></TABLE>

Is the pickle fork the long handle with the u shaped end, that you shove in between to pry them apart? I'm just wondering because I never knew they had a name like that.

 

Pickle forks look like this.

 

pickle fork method is a good way to do this if you dont have air tools. might as well replace both of them too. no sense in replacing one to have the other one go bad a month later. just my $.02

good luck

 

pickle forks suck because they always break the boots