So here is the deal guys, my girlfriend recently acquired an 01 crv and it desperately need the parts listed above. I went online and got some OEM replacements and went to do the job with my basic tools and car knowledge. However, I come from a strictly German background and the job gave me some trouble. I had a very hard time reaching the 2 upper bolts in the wheel well and even when I got to them I couldn't break them loose with my open ended wrench. Also, I removed the bolt from the on the bottom of the ball joint but couldn't seem to get anything to budge as it seemed the suspension moved in unison. I know this is not very detailed but I attempted this a few weeks ago and haven't had a chance to post up until now so my memory isn't too fresh. I am really looking for some sort of DIY or someone to point me in the right direction, I have performed many complex tasks on VW's and BMW's and am confident I can do this job with a little guidance. Also, if the crv suspension is similar to the civic or accord it would be helpful to know so I can broaden my search for a DIY. Any help is GREATLY appreciated and thanks in advance.

Thanks,
Bryan

 

So it needs both an upper and a lower ball joint up front? Why does it need a lower control arm?

Sometimes you can separate the ball joints with just the aid of the suspension weight/force by hitting the control arms with a hammer in strategic places. This doesn't work 100% of the time though, and in the cases where it doesn't, you'll need a ball joint separator tool like this one:



You don't need the Honda tool specifically; most automotive tool distributors offer a similar item.

For the upper control arm, there are no mounting bolts to remove in the wheel well. What you're seeing under there are captive nuts that are welded to the body - the bolts that thread into those nuts are accessed from inside the engine bay.

The '97-01 CR-V suspension is very similar to a '96-00 Civic.

 

Targa,

Thank you VERY much for your helpful reply. The car has 160,xxx on it and it doesn't look like a single bushing has every been replaced on the car and every bushing on the front end of the car looks virtually destroyed. The lower control arm bushings looked trashed as well so I figured it would be easy to replace the whole thing with the bushings already pressed(I hope that answers your question). I am also doing the sway bar end links but those were easy enough to figure out. So with the removal of the bolts in the engine bay the the upper control arm can be removed(sorry if I'm completely off but I don't remember the layout of the top of my head)

 

Yes. Separate the upper ball joint from the knuckle, remove the two bolts from the engine bay, and it's off.

 

Use one or both of the methods in the post below to separate the lower ball joint. Use the hammer when Separating the upper ball joint from the knuckle.

https://honda-tech.com/forums/acura-integra-6/popping-front-lower-balljoints-other-random-observations-887859/

 

Does the honda crv 2003 installed ball joint have a retaining ring or just pressed in?

 

In the 03 I believe it is just pressed in. Some of the replacements come with a snap ring which is probably better than oem.