Contents: Inspection ⇊ Removal and installation ⇊
Inspection
1. Raise and securely support the vehicle.
2. Remove the front wheel.
3. Grasp the steering knuckle and move it forward and backward.
4. Replace the upper control arm on all vehicles except Prelude if any play is found. On Prelude, replace the upper ball joint.
Removal and installation
Only the Prelude has replaceable upper ball joints. The 1984-85 Accord does not have an upper control arm and therefore no joint. On the 1986-91 Accord, the ball joint is permanently mounted to the upper control arm; it is not removable. If the connection is faulty or loose, the entire upper control arm assembly must be replaced.
Replacing the upper ball joint on a Prelude:
1. Raise and securely support the vehicle.
2. Remove the front wheel.
3. Remove the cotter pin and castle nut from the upper ball joint.
4. Using a ball joint puller, separate the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle.
5. Remove the 2 lock nuts securing the ball joint assembly to the upper control arm. Remove the ball joint.
6. Installation - in reverse order. Tighten the ball joint lock nuts to 55 Nm. Tighten the ball joint castle nut to 44 Nm and install a new cotter pin.
7. Check the wheel alignment.