ball joints
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ball joints
So i need to replace me upper and lower ball joints on my 1990 accord ex...can some1 please let me know exactly wat parts I need, wat tools, and about how long it may take to do this. thanks
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From: New England, USA
Front lower ball joints. Support the lower control arm with a jack stand
You remove the tire then remove the axle nut in the center of the rotor it is a should be a 32mm socket. remove the lower ball joint nut, it is a 17mm socket then with a ball hammer hit the metal casing were the ball joint goes through the lower control arm, do not hammer on the ball joint itself! it will change tone when the socket pops. when it pops pick up the assembly by the rotor and remove the lower ball joint arm from the lower control arm and remove the axle from the hub assembly. there is a retainer clip on the lower part of the ball joint that you will need to remove you will need a pair of snap ring pliers for this. After removing the snap ring you need to hammer the ball joint up and out of the hub.
Just do these instructions backwards to install.
If it's the UPPER ball joint, the whole control arm has to be replaced (the ball joint is made into the control arm, and it's non replaceable).
Remove cotter pin and nut from ball joint. Get a big, heavy hammer, and hit the spindle as close to the ball joint as possible (you may have to whack it a few times). That will break the ball joint loose from the spindle. Once is loose, remove the bolts that attach the control arm to the body.
I'm trying to find a tutorial on Youtube for you. The Forums' FAQ doesn't address this.
Left and Right Upper Control Arm Assemblies
Lower Ball Joints (2)
BF' Hammer
17mm combination wrench
32mm Socket and Long handled Ratchet
Needle Nose Pliers
Hopefully the upper control arm bushing bolts haven't frozen to the bushing. That will involve heat, time and a whole lotta cursing.
P
You remove the tire then remove the axle nut in the center of the rotor it is a should be a 32mm socket. remove the lower ball joint nut, it is a 17mm socket then with a ball hammer hit the metal casing were the ball joint goes through the lower control arm, do not hammer on the ball joint itself! it will change tone when the socket pops. when it pops pick up the assembly by the rotor and remove the lower ball joint arm from the lower control arm and remove the axle from the hub assembly. there is a retainer clip on the lower part of the ball joint that you will need to remove you will need a pair of snap ring pliers for this. After removing the snap ring you need to hammer the ball joint up and out of the hub.
Just do these instructions backwards to install.
If it's the UPPER ball joint, the whole control arm has to be replaced (the ball joint is made into the control arm, and it's non replaceable).
Remove cotter pin and nut from ball joint. Get a big, heavy hammer, and hit the spindle as close to the ball joint as possible (you may have to whack it a few times). That will break the ball joint loose from the spindle. Once is loose, remove the bolts that attach the control arm to the body.
I'm trying to find a tutorial on Youtube for you. The Forums' FAQ doesn't address this.
Left and Right Upper Control Arm Assemblies
Lower Ball Joints (2)
BF' Hammer
17mm combination wrench
32mm Socket and Long handled Ratchet
Needle Nose Pliers
Hopefully the upper control arm bushing bolts haven't frozen to the bushing. That will involve heat, time and a whole lotta cursing.
P
Last edited by P_Adams; Dec 3, 2008 at 04:51 PM.
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From: Tachikawa Shi, Tokyo, Japan
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Joined: Nov 2008
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New upper control arms come with bushings and joint. Just unbolt from under hood and drop them out. Reverse to install.
You could use a ball joint removal tool in place of the BFH. It works for me.
BTW, if you already have aftermarket upper control arms, the ball joints may be replaceable. NAPA carries two different sizes for aftermarket. They are about $20 compared to replacing the entire UCA.
You could use a ball joint removal tool in place of the BFH. It works for me.
BTW, if you already have aftermarket upper control arms, the ball joints may be replaceable. NAPA carries two different sizes for aftermarket. They are about $20 compared to replacing the entire UCA.
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