Hello HT, it's been a really long time.

I'm about to order a few things for my sedan, and I'd like to get a tip to nail this thing just right.

To replace the rear suspension arms UPPER ball joint, is that ball joint the same as the one used in the front upper control arm?

I have to replace all four front ball joints and I think I might as well replace the rear ones as the boots have been torn for a long time.

Any insight is welcome.

Thanks in advance.

 

There are only six balljoints total, all different. Rear lower trailing arm bolts directly to the rear upright/knuckle. There is no rear lower balljoint.

 

Check out majestic honda for parts. Stay away from cheaper stuff from Oreillys etc. Some brands like moog arent bad but I have found the oem are cheaper then the aftermarket high end stuff. I also have first hand experience with a failed balljoint that was a few months old which I purchased from oreillys cheap **** line. They were supposed to reimburse me for the damage it caused to my car and never got back to me.

 

Yeah, I knew the front ones were different, but didn't know about the rear ones.

To tell you the truth, i have a very limited budget, i was thinking about picking them up from ebay sellers that have a few suspension items as a set.

 

well some may disagree but when it comes to safety and finances, you shouldn't put yourself in harms way because you dont know who made the product that literally holds your car together and up right. and two you may end up buying the parts twice because you bought the cheap junk the first time and it failed or didn't last three months. I would figure people on a budget were more intelligent and thorough in thinking through the process but I have found people in life only plan for short term when it comes to many things. Just something to think about. OEM joints are not expensive. I think I paid about $30-40 a joint and havent touched them since. More than I can say about master pro products

 

New front balljoints from a local Honda are only $26 each, cheaper if you buy online from hondapartsnow.com or similar. I recently replaced all six on my '95, but replaced the entire upper arms in the rear with new Moog pieces from eBay at about $35 each.

I would suggest replacing the entire upper front arms while you're doing it, as if the balljoints are warn enough to need replacing, odds are very good the UCA bushings are showing their age, too. Plus, it's WAY easier to unbolt three nuts and swap out the complete UCA that find someone to press in and out the UBJ and both bushings. Honda doesn't even sell the UBJ separately from the UCA, either, so you have to use aftermarket parts if you choose to replace only the UBJ.

This is one of those situations where you have to bite the bullet and spend a little more.

 

^this.

Unless you can purchase quality bushings/BJs and have the tools/time to do it yourself, it is far easier to just purchase new arms.

 

Guys, thanks so much for the input. I forgot to mention I moved to south america a few years ago, and over here Hondas are actually rare to find, let alone parts or even worse, aftermarket parts for these cars.

I can't even get a descent quote for parts, but here's what it came to when i quoted this week (at a known and reputable store), inner and outer tie rods (both sides), front upper and lower ball joints... a total of 920 dollars.

The second issue i have is bringing the parts, as they are taxed 100% of their estimated cost, plus shipping kills.
I have a few relatives going to the US next month, and so I might order the parts with a friend and have these relatives bring the parts in their luggage to avoid the trouble all together.

Thanks for the input guys.

 

Guys, when you got a NAPA, Autozone or something, can you buy just the rear upper ball joints or is it impossible to find?

 

Rear uppers, like the front uppers, are both installed in the stamped control arm. It is easier/cheaper to just replace the arm.

But you can still find them
RAYBESTOS Part # 5001102B (budget)
RAYBESTOS Part # 5001102 (professional)
ACDELCO Part # 46D0102A {#88876271}
ACDELCO Part # 45D0102 (professional)

Cost is $11-$40/BJ

Complete rear upper arms are in the same price range of $16-$40.

If your local stores cannot locate them, try rockauto.com or Amazon, even with shipping the parts may be the same cost or cheaper than local.

I know I can order parts from Rockauto for the CB1, ship them to Ireland(Tax/VAT/Shipping), and they are still cheaper than from the local shops, plus I know it's the right part.