When inspecting ball joints and tie rod ends in the front suspension, how do I know if it's bad or not so I can replace them? I'm asking because I can hear clunking noises in my front suspension when I go over little bumps.

My uncle tells me it's probably the ball joints and tie rods going bad.. is this true? Should I replace all of them on both sides?

Please help me out cuz the clunking makes the front suspension sound like it's going to fall apart

 

I just went through this... jack the car up (on jack stands) and try to turn each wheel (tire) up<>down and left<>right. It shouldn't move. If it does, you need to feel around while moving it and find out where the movement is coming from by putting your hand over each joint.

Usually side to side is tie rod joints, up and down is wheel bearings. Upper and lower ball joints will also shake up and down though... it should take you no more than a few shakes and you will prob need one person to move the wheel while you feel around... good luck.

 

So basically what you're saying is if the wheel shakes up down or left right and the joints have play in them then they are bad and need to be replaced? Also, how do i test for the inner tie rods to see if they are messed up?

 

After i jack the car up and put it on jack stands...do i have someone hold the sterring wheel while i shake the tire. Also when my wheels are straight my sterring wheel is too the right alittle bit. What can that be? thanks

 

Egk - you need an alignment for that crooked steering wheel problem..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hybrid90 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Egk - you need an alignment for that crooked steering wheel problem..</TD></TR></TABLE>
Thanks for the info.

 

alignment for the steering wheel problem.

for checking the balljoint, tie rods - u dont move the tire that much. not enough to turn the steering. all u do is place one hand on the front and another on the rear, and slightly shake it a little and see if there is excessive movement. same thing for top and bottom...one hand on top, another on bottom. just move it slightly, kinda wiggle it to see if there is excessive freeplay. if there is use a flashlight or place your hands on the tie rods to see what is making it move.

 

Hey thanks for the replies guys. I had a chance to check it last night and yup, my ball joints and tie rods are shot.. lots of play.. no wonder I'm clunking like crazy over every little bump...

I just ordered a complete set of tie rods and ball joints and going to replace this weekend.. hope it will fix all the nasty clunking..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hybrid90 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hey thanks for the replies guys. I had a chance to check it last night and yup, my ball joints and tie rods are shot.. lots of play.. no wonder I'm clunking like crazy over every little bump...

I just ordered a complete set of tie rods and ball joints and going to replace this weekend.. hope it will fix all the nasty clunking.. </TD></TR></TABLE>
if you dont mind me asking...what web site did u order your tie rods and ball joints from?

 

also check ur radius rod bushing/bolt

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EgK2o09 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
if you dont mind me asking...what web site did u order your tie rods and ball joints from?
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I ordered from a seller on Ebay.. his seller ID is bestsuspension. His prices are really good and lots of guys in the prelude forum swear by this guys products.. OEM quality on all his parts.

I ordered lower balljoints for both sides, inner and outer tie rods for both sides for $52 shipped.. fantastic deal.

I got a chance to put them on last weekend and it fixed the clunking. The steering feeels hella good now.. really tight.. I'm very happy with the purchase and the fix. I had the damn clunking eversince I've bought the car.. night and day difference now.. very quiet and smooth in the front end...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by importdude2000 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">also check ur radius rod bushing/bolt</TD></TR></TABLE>

Hmm which one is the radius rod bushing? And how does that effect the suspension? Sorry, haven't learned all the name of the suspension yet..

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hybrid90 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Hmm which one is the radius rod bushing? And how does that effect the suspension? Sorry, haven't learned all the name of the suspension yet..</TD></TR></TABLE>
its the rod that is going from LCA TO crossmember

there is a nut on the front of the crossmember and a bushing
sometimes its loose
causing clunking
like in my case for a while

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by importdude2000 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
its the rod that is going from LCA TO crossmember

there is a nut on the front of the crossmember and a bushing
sometimes its loose
causing clunking
like in my case for a while</TD></TR></TABLE>

Oh that rod, yeah it's tightened down good. But anyways, it's my ball joints and tie rods that are bad. went ahead and replaced it and now it's all quiet when driving.. lovin' it!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hybrid90 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Oh that rod, yeah it's tightened down good. But anyways, it's my ball joints and tie rods that are bad. went ahead and replaced it and now it's all quiet when driving.. lovin' it! </TD></TR></TABLE>
Thats good....im about to do my front end cant wait!