Inspection
1. Raise and secure the vehicle.
2. Remove the front wheel.
3. Grab the steering knuckle and move it back and forth.
4. Replace upper suspension arm on all vehicles except Prelude if any play is found. On Prelude - replace top ball joint.
Removal and installation
Only the Prelude has replaceable top ball joints. The 1984-85 Accord has no upper suspension arm and therefore no linkage. On the 1986-91 Accord, the ball joint is integral to the upper control arm; it is not removable. If the connection is faulty or loose, the entire upper arm assembly must be replaced.
Replacing the upper ball joint with Prelude:
1. Raise and secure the vehicle.
2. Remove the front wheel.
3. Remove cotter pin and castle nut from upper ball joint.
4. Using a ball joint remover, 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 the reverse order. Tighten the lock nuts of the ball joint to 55 Nm. Tighten the castle nut of the ball joint to 44 Nm and install a new cotter pin.
7. Check camber adjustment.