How do you change the lower ball joint on a Honda Accord?
by Nathaniel Miller. Changing the lower ball joint on a Honda Accord requires using a special press tool and a large machinist vise. The lower ball joints are the only units that can be replaced separately on the Accord. If you find that your Honda also needs upper ball joints, you must replace the entire upper control arm assembly.
How to replace the upper control arm and ball joint?
Place the large C-clamp from the kit over the cylinders. Use the ½-inch drive air gun and socket to push the ball joint out. Reverse the process to install the ball joint. Install the upper control arm in reverse order of removal.
How do you jack up a Honda Accord?
(Related Article: How to Jack Up Your Accord – Honda-Tech.com) Although you can replace the lower ball joint without removing the brakes and rotor, you may want to remove them anyway. Use the needle nose pliers to take the cotter pin out of the axle nut, then loosen the CV axle nut. Remove the lug nuts and the wheel.
How do you attach a ball joint to a steering wheel?
Screw on the castle nut on to the ball joint and tighten. Using a hydraulic jack, lift the lower control arm until the upper portion of the steering knuckle can attach to the ball joint stud of the upper control arm. Screw on the castle nut on to the ball joint and tighten.
by Nathaniel Miller. Changing the lower ball joint on a Honda Accord requires using a special press tool and a large machinist vise. The lower ball joints are the only units that can be replaced separately on the Accord. If you find that your Honda also needs upper ball joints, you must replace the entire upper control arm assembly.
(Related Article: How to Jack Up Your Accord – Honda-Tech.com) Although you can replace the lower ball joint without removing the brakes and rotor, you may want to remove them anyway. Use the needle nose pliers to take the cotter pin out of the axle nut, then loosen the CV axle nut. Remove the lug nuts and the wheel.
When to replace the lower control arm ball joint?
Pay attention to where the lower ball joint meets the lower control arm. If there is slight play, the ball joint is worn and should be replaced. This is a safety issue. Replacing the ball joint requires complete removal of the front steering knuckle.
What’s the best way to remove a ball joint?
For the uppers, you can buy a control arm with a new joint in it, which adds additional cost. For the lowers, you will need specialized tools to press them out. Some suggest using hammers to drive the ball joint out, whereas others use jacks.
How to replace a lower control arm ball joint?
Replacing a Lower Control Arm Ball Joint. Learn how to replace a lower ball joint by pressing it out of the control arm and pressing the new one back in. To watch the longer, in depth version, click the link below. Press out a Ball Joint (In-depth):
How do you know if ball joints need to be replaced?
Inspect the ball joints to make sure they need to be replaced. Figure out if your vehicle’s got a strut-style suspension or a control arm, then check the ball joint by either jacking up the control arm near the ball joint to check for wheel play, or by jacking up the car and using a pry-bar to check for wheel play in a strut-style suspension.
How do you put a new ball joint in a car?
Slide the new rubber boot over the ball joint’s stud and guide the new ball joint back up through the steering knuckle hole, where it came from. Bolt the joint into place using the hardware included.
How is a lower ball joint replacement done?
A new ball joint from Mevotech Original Grade was used as a replacement. The knuckle is then replaced onto the car, tying into the upper and lower control arms, CV axle and tie rod. The ABS wire and brake caliper are then replaced. New Mevotech stabilizer links and brakes were also added to this vehicle.
How do you change a tire on a Honda Accord?
Place the floor jack or a smaller hydraulic jack under the lower control arm, and raise it slightly, approximately 2 inches. Place one hand on top of the tire and the other hand on the bottom of the tire. Try to move the entire wheel assembly back and forth.
How can I check the ball joint on my car?
Figure out if your vehicle’s got a strut-style suspension or a control arm, then check the ball joint by either jacking up the control arm near the ball joint to check for wheel play, or by jacking up the car and using a pry-bar to check for wheel play in a strut-style suspension.
Pay attention to where the lower ball joint meets the lower control arm. If there is slight play, the ball joint is worn and should be replaced. This is a safety issue. Replacing the ball joint requires complete removal of the front steering knuckle.
What makes up the lower ball joint in a car?
The lower ball joint is what attaches the steering knuckle and control arm together. There are two pieces which make up the lower ball joint; a socket and ball.
Do you need to replace all ball joints?
Therefore, prepare to spend an entire day if you are going to do all of the ball joints. Also, realize that any other repairs like the brakes or CV joints are recommended to do as well. During replacement, the ball joints will need to pressed in. For the uppers, you can buy a control arm with a new joint in it, which adds additional cost.
Where to mount control arm on Honda Accord?
Screw in the control arm mounting bolts. Apply the final torque to these bolts after both bolts have been screwed in. Using a Honda-specific ball joint press adapter kit, mount one adapter on top of the ball joint (which is recessed in the steering knuckle) and the other on the bottom portion of ball joint.
Replacing a Lower Control Arm Ball Joint. Learn how to replace a lower ball joint by pressing it out of the control arm and pressing the new one back in. To watch the longer, in depth version, click the link below. Press out a Ball Joint (In-depth):
Do you need to replace all ball joints?
Therefore, prepare to spend an entire day if you are going to do all of the ball joints. Also, realize that any other repairs like the brakes or CV joints are recommended to do as well. During replacement, the ball joints will need to pressed in. For the uppers, you can buy a control arm with a new joint in it, which adds additional cost.
What causes lower ball joint to wear out?
A double wishbone front suspension consists of a coil over strut and steering knuckle tied together with upper and lower control arms. The lower ball joint on this setup is load bearing, which causes it to wear out frequently.