On 10 Apr 2004 16:31:17 -0700, adrew@frontiernet.net (Adam Drew) wrote:

>Hey, y'all.
>
>I was at the dealer this morning getting an oil change/tire rotation
>when they called me and said that both of my lower ball joints were
>blown, there was grease all over the inside of both front rims, and
>that I should come in Monday to get it fixed.
>
>It only has about 9000 miles on it. I drive pretty gently and don't
>drag race or go mud boggin' or anyhting like that. Most of the miles
>are interstate.
>
>Any ideas what could've caused BOTH of 'em to go? I've never had ANY
>suspension problems on my old cars, and neither has anyone in my
>family.

Is this a U.S. Civic Si - made in Swindon England? Gawd, I hope it's not a
sign of English car disease. I thought Honda was on top of the U.K. OE
suppliers but maybe not - this was typical of quality issues back in the
bad old days, when Rubery Owen supplied the U.K car industry with atrocious
junk. What does "blown" mean?... rubber boot tore open or came off?

AFAICT from the parts list here http://tinyurl.com/36ggw the ball joint is
not a separate part from the knuckle assembly so you want to be sure what
"fixed" means. If the boots are busted there's dirt & water in the ball
joint so you don't want just a new boot fitted.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??