Contents: Inspection ⇊ Removal and installation ⇊
Inspection
Check the ball joint play as follows:
1. Raise and secure the car with jacks.
2. Using a dial indicator, attach it to the lower control arm and place the tip of the indicator on the steering knuckle, near the ball joint.
3. Using a suitable block, place it between the lower control arm and the steering knuckle.
4. Wiggle the ball joint to check for play; if it exceeds 0.5 mm, replace the ball joint.
Removal and installation
Lower ball joints on 1984-85 Accord - integral with control arm; if the connection becomes loose, the arm must be replaced with a new ball joint.
1986-91 Accord, 1983-88 Prelude
This procedure is performed after the steering knuckle has been removed and requires the use of the following special tools or their equivalent: Ball Joint Puller Part Number 07965-SB00100 or 07HAF-SF101W (90-91 Accord) and Puller Base Part Number 07965-5B00200 (85-87 Prelude), 07965-SB00300 (86-89 Accord and 88-91 Prelude) or 07HAF-SF10130. A large vice is also required. Guide Part Number 07974-SA5O7OO or Q7GAG-SD40700 is required for installation.
1. After removing the knuckle together with the attached ball joint, remove the retaining ring and remove the boot.
2. Remove the retaining ring from the groove in the ball joint.
3. Using a ball joint puller with the large end facing out, tighten the ball joint nut.
4. Place the base of the puller on the ball joint and clamp the assembly in a large vice. Press the ball joint out of the steering knuckle.
5. Install the new ball joint into the steering knuckle hole.
6. Position the ball joint installation tool with the small end facing out.
7. Place the base of the puller on the ball joint and tighten the assembly in a large vice. Press the ball joint into the steering knuckle.
8. Place the 40mm snap ring into the groove of the ball joint.
9. Adjust the tool with the adjusting bolt until the end of the tool aligns with the groove on the cover. Place the ring in its seat.