Honda Car Forum

Hello,

I have a 94 Accord EX that is having some front suspension issues.
Currently, I know that both tie-rod end ball joints have gone bad, as
well as the sway bar bushings.

My Question is: Does this indicate that the other front joints and
bushings are also near the end of their lifetime? Parts in question
are the upper and lower ball joints on the steering knuckle, the
radius rod bushing, lower arm bushing and damper fork bushing.
The car has ~120k miles on it.

Should I also replace the parts in question that have not yet failed?

Any experience with how much longer these parts will last?

Considerations:

1) Baring unforseen T-bones, I want to keep this car for another 5
years (if not 10).

2) Paying less up front is better, to me, than paying more over the
next 1 - 1.5 years.

3) I know that if the lower ball joint is replaced I also get to buy
new wheel bearings. (yay!)

4) The car is lowered ~1.5inches using Neuspeed Sport springs and Koni
struts. I have driven about 40k miles since I lowered it.

I'm considering doing this work myself. I know I'll need to get the
special ball joint tools and small press to put the bearing over the
axle. I would have a local shop press the bearing into the hub and
press the rubber bushings into the lower arm. Any thoughts on this?
How long do you think this would take to do?

I appreciate any suggestions/comments that you might have about this
problem.

Thanks!

ben bowes
bowes@physics.utexas.edu

"Ben Bowes" <bowes@physics.utexas.edu> wrote in message
news:bc0f615b.0312082128.659ade91@posting.google.c om...
> Hello,
>
> I have a 94 Accord EX that is having some front suspension issues.
> Currently, I know that both tie-rod end ball joints have gone bad, as
> well as the sway bar bushings.

I too have a '94 Accord...mine has 135k miles on it.

> My Question is: Does this indicate that the other front joints and
> bushings are also near the end of their lifetime? Parts in question
> are the upper and lower ball joints on the steering knuckle, the
> radius rod bushing, lower arm bushing and damper fork bushing.
> The car has ~120k miles on it.

Typically, yes.

> Should I also replace the parts in question that have not yet failed?

"Failed" is subjective. They are most definitely worn, but how much depends
on a lot of different factors.

If you are having a shop do the work, you might want to consider having it
all done, as it will save you some labor costs in the long run.

> Any experience with how much longer these parts will last?

As stated, depends.

Hard driving, hard cornering, rough roads, hard stops, will all contribute
to the life of a suspension and its components.

> Considerations:
>
> 1) Baring unforseen T-bones, I want to keep this car for another 5
> years (if not 10).

Me too.

> 2) Paying less up front is better, to me, than paying more over the
> next 1 - 1.5 years.

Then just do it.

> 3) I know that if the lower ball joint is replaced I also get to buy
> new wheel bearings. (yay!)

Yup.

> 4) The car is lowered ~1.5inches using Neuspeed Sport springs and Koni
> struts. I have driven about 40k miles since I lowered it.

Ouch!

> I'm considering doing this work myself. I know I'll need to get the
> special ball joint tools and small press to put the bearing over the
> axle. I would have a local shop press the bearing into the hub and
> press the rubber bushings into the lower arm. Any thoughts on this?
> How long do you think this would take to do?

Depends on your mechanical skills, and how comfortable you are tacking such
a job.

>
> I appreciate any suggestions/comments that you might have about this
> problem.
>
> Thanks!
>
> ben bowes
> bowes@physics.utexas.edu


--
'03 S2000
'94 Accord

It's just about going fast...that's all...

http://home.insight.rr.com/cgreen/

> > 3) I know that if the lower ball joint is replaced I also get to buy
> > new wheel bearings. (yay!)


why not just press the ball joints in and out? i've never replaced a
wheel bearing when doing joints on a honda.
Chip