Well they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Here are a few:

Right Front Tire

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/2083/rftire2lu.jpg

Right Front Lower Ball Joint

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/5...lljoint7vp.jpg

Right Front Upper Ball Joint

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/504...lljoint8wp.jpg

Left Front Tire

http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/7889/lftire3qm.jpg

Left Front Lower Ball Joint

http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/6...lljoint8sl.jpg

Left Front Upper Ball Joint

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/4...lljoint0gu.jpg


Obviously the right side is the worst, but it apears both sides are leaking
at the seals. The wear is much more noticable on the right tire as well. The
tire wear is spotty too on the inner part of the tire.



"Elle" <honda.lioness@nospam.earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:Ks_hg.3314$lf4.1514@newsread1.news.pas.earthl ink.net...
> <jqoutlaw@gmail.com> wrote
>> Elle wrote:
> snip but all read
>>> You're probably capable of doing at least a cursory check of
>>> the ball joints by yourself. For one thing, you want to
>>> check their boots. If torn, the possibility is higher that
>>> the ball joint is about to fail. Checking for excessive BJ
>>> play is described at
>>>
>>> http://autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker...3d800d1b9e.jsp
>>
>> Thanks for the link. That's what I'm afraid of.
>
> Maybe I'm misreading your tone, but from the work I've been doing on my 91
> Civic's suspension, I don't think replacing the ball joints will be such a
> horrid job, especially with at least one person with some experience (your
> father-in-law) around. Definitely have backup transportation, though.
>
> Looking over those BJ boots isn't hard.
>
> I am only an amateur. I get my 91 Civic work done by researching a lot,
> including pumping all the pros and experienced enthusiasts here for tips,
> and working slowly.
>> Thing is we're only trying to make the car last another year or two of
>> regular use, longevity is not as big of an issue.
>
> This does indeed make it a tough decision.
>
> Can't you move up your next car purchase a year or so?
>
> From the sounds of things, you're going to put into this car maybe around
> another $500. Although $500 for another year is not very expensive...
>
>> I would have help from 2 other
>> people too, and would like to tackle the job in a weekend.
>
> That sounds ambitious, unless the other two have a lot of auto suspension
> experience and all the specialized tools.
>
>> The car has been in a hot and humid environment its whole life, the
>> southeast.
>
> At least road salt hasn't been eating at it. OTOH, dunno what ocean salt
> may due to those control arm bolts, for one. They seize easily for
> Midwestern and Northern cars.
>
> Buy a can of the penetrating oil PB Blaster and start soaking all the
> bolts you think you'll need to free. I am convinced that this stuff is
> saving me, as I work on my 91's suspension.
>
> I hope you'll update how this project with your to be father in law goes.
> Sounds like an interesting problem. Good luck.
>