I think the lower ball joint is shot, or the hub assembly needs replacement.

There's too much play at the ball joint shaft where it meets the hub and it clamped in. It wiggled a bit and I was able to tighten it up a tad, but it still rattles (although much less) over bumps.

Are these ball joints molded in as part of the control arm, or can they be popped out? There's no bolt I see holding them on , just the one that goes to the hub assembly held on with a castle nut.

And if there was excessive slack for a while, I'm hoping it didn't wear too badly into the hub...

82 Accord LX

 

Most of the time, the lower ball joint is pressed into the hub assembly. You can do it yourself as far as replacing it, but it will be alot of work. This is one of those times I don't mind letting someone else do it for it me.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Hondaaccordvtec &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Most of the time, the lower ball joint is pressed into the hub assembly. </TD></TR></TABLE>

That's what it looks like. I may leave it, it's a beater car. But later down the road when it falls off I'll wish I hadn't left it alone. Thanks for your reply!