johngdole@hotmail.com wrote:
>
> On Apr 7, 7:16�pm, jim beam <retard-fin...@bad.example.net> wrote:
>> you need to get under the car and check stuff out. �check all bolts are
>> tightened properly, check things like sway bar bushings are ok, then
>> check ball joints. �i've actually had more problems with upper joints
>> than lower on civics, so check yours on the accord. �jack the vehicle up
>> under the lower swing arm until the wheel is just off the ground, then
>> lever under the wheel with a crow bar. �you should be able to see or
>> feel looseness if any exists. �this works better if you have an
>> assistant carefully do this while you hold a joint - you can definitely
>> feel any looseness then.
>
> Yes, the load should be taken off the lower control arm to check the
> load-carrying ball joint (lower).
>
> But Jim -- it's interesting that the non-load-carrying upper joints
> were giving you more problems. If these don't run dry, I would think
> they'll outlast the lower joints. No?


well, they're not as big as the lower ones, plus, if you think about it,
because of the fact that they're on a much longer lever arm on the
steering knuckle from the wheel center compared to the lower one,
reaction force to braking and cornering is going to be much greater.
besides, as a crazed lover of 88-91 civics/crx's, and someone that's had
no fewer than six of them in higher mileage conditions [up to 300k!],
three have needed upper ball joint replacements - not one has needed
lower unless the boot has been trashed by a pickle fork.