Honda Car Forum

90 integra LS

If your upper or lower ball joint is loose, is it possible to just tighten it
or do you have to replace the whole thing? If it needs to be replaced, is it
something a novice mechanic such as me can do with some rented equipment?

thanks

googamooga@aol.com (Googamooga) spake unto the masses in
news:20040408040917.27035.00000916@mb-m12.aol.com:

> 90 integra LS
>
> If your upper or lower ball joint is loose, is it possible to just
> tighten it or do you have to replace the whole thing?



It's WORN, not "loose".

Replace the whole thing. A dealer part will be the entire upper A-arm,
about $150. Aftermarket may be just the ball joint.

Word of warning: If one is worn, the other is not far behind. Also the
lower ball joints can seize and snap with disastrous results:

http://www.tegger.com/images/quarterview.jpg
http://www.tegger.com/images/closeup.jpg

Speed was about 50mph when the ball joint stud snapped. Miraculously, the
driveshaft was saved. The inner CV joint bearings were sucked into the boot
and were not lost.

Also, the fender popped back straight after the wheel was pulled forwards
again.

I had all 4 ball joints plus the steering outer tie-rod ends replaced (with
OEM). At 210,000 miles all 6 were worn to varying degrees.



--
TeGGeR®

The Unofficial Honda FAQ
http://www3.telus.net/public/johnings/faq.html

How to find anything on the Internet or in Usenet Groups:
www.google.com
www.groups.google.com

Holy crap, man thats nothing to mess with. You think thats something I can
work on my own or let the pros handle it?

yup thats what happened to me, thank goodness i was in the city.


"Tegger®" <teggeratistopdotcom@changetheobvious.invalid> wrote in message
news:Xns94C55481CA9ABteggeratistop@207.14.113.17.. .
> googamooga@aol.com (Googamooga) spake unto the masses in
> news:20040408040917.27035.00000916@mb-m12.aol.com:
>
> > 90 integra LS
> >
> > If your upper or lower ball joint is loose, is it possible to just
> > tighten it or do you have to replace the whole thing?
>
>
>
> It's WORN, not "loose".
>
> Replace the whole thing. A dealer part will be the entire upper A-arm,
> about $150. Aftermarket may be just the ball joint.
>
> Word of warning: If one is worn, the other is not far behind. Also the
> lower ball joints can seize and snap with disastrous results:
>
> http://www.tegger.com/images/quarterview.jpg
> http://www.tegger.com/images/closeup.jpg
>
> Speed was about 50mph when the ball joint stud snapped. Miraculously, the
> driveshaft was saved. The inner CV joint bearings were sucked into the
boot
> and were not lost.
>
> Also, the fender popped back straight after the wheel was pulled forwards
> again.
>
> I had all 4 ball joints plus the steering outer tie-rod ends replaced
(with
> OEM). At 210,000 miles all 6 were worn to varying degrees.
>
>
>
> --
> TeGGeR®
>
> The Unofficial Honda FAQ
> http://www3.telus.net/public/johnings/faq.html
>
> How to find anything on the Internet or in Usenet Groups:
> www.google.com
> www.groups.google.com
>