I looked at Rock Auto's catalog and they sell AC Delco and Spicer branded ball joints for my car. (Honda only sells the ball joint as part of a knuckle assembly, for $115, hub and bearing not included!)

The AC Delco ball joint is priced at 2X the cost of the Spicer part.

Does anyone have experience with either of these brands, particularly in the arena of Honda ball joints?

The even harder part will be determining the correct spindle size - apparently Honda used two different spindle sizes in 2002, I don't know which my car has, and Rock only lists one part no. for 2002. The online Honda catalogs list two different part nos. for the knuckles, but they don't have an explanation to let the consumer know which one will fit their car. :mad:

AC Delco parts are always more expensive because they're trading on their name. In reality, the AC Delco part is probably made by Spicer, Moog, TRW, or McQuay-Norris. The most important factor in quality is whether the part is rated as "service grade" (read cheap crap from China), or "professional grade" (OEM quality by name brand manufacturer.

Thanks for that information - the Spicer part listed at Rock Auto is "professional grade".

I'd buy it if I were sure it has the correct spindle size for my car. There's no way of knowing from the part description.

Call RockAuto on the phone--they may be able to help.

Thanks, will do.

The next issue is whether to replace the control arms while I have them separated. Last time I attempted to separate those ball joints I was only successful with one side.

If I can find someone to replace (press) the LCA bushings, that will save me a pretty penny compared to replacing the LCAs in their entirety. Unless of course I am charged an arm and a leg for the labor.

With the proper tools, you should be able to do it yourself.

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Originally Posted by txgreasemonkey

With the proper tools, you should be able to do it yourself.

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Separate the ball joints from the LCA - or replace the bushings?

How can I press them in/out without a press?

OTC 7249 - OTC7249 - Ball Joint Service Tool Set

Fun job and not that much to it. I would go with the Professional Grade Spicer Ball Joints. Best deal for the money.

Oh, sure, pressing the ball joints out should be a piece of cake, especially with that tool. I can probably borrow that set from auto parts store locally.

The hard part is separating the ball joint from the LCA - and yes, LOL, that's after removing the retaining nut and cotter pin.

The other hard part is pressing the bushings in and out of the LCAs. Or can that same tool be used for that too!

The same press tool can press balljoints in and out.


To separate the balljoint from the lower control arm, I use a balljoint separator like this one:

Tool Aid 61900 Tie Rod End/Ball Joint Lifter Order# TA 61900 www.TheToolWarehouse.Net

However, my set of pullers is made by KD-Tools:

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/KD-41690.html

Ah, thanks for reminding me - a buddy of mine has that tool, the actual Honda tool of that type. Maybe he'll let me borrow it.

It makes life sooo much easier.

Apply grease to the outside of the new balljoint, before you press it in.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by txgreasemonkey

The same press tool can press balljoints in and out.

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Did you mean "press bushings in and out"?

No, pressing the balljoint out of and into the knuckle--5 minute job, once you have the knuckle off.


There are other balljoint remover/installer tools that are used with a large shop vise, to press balljoints into and out of the knuckle.

Bought a pair of the Spicer "Professional Grade" balljoints yesterday from Rock. $80 shipped, arrived today!

They're marked as "Three Fives" brand on their tops, and are made in Japan. Quality seems OK, the castle nuts look a little cheesy.

I would reuse, then, the original castle nuts on the car. Good price.

Just wanted to update this thread with this bit of info -

I was at the alignment shop today and saw a box of Moog brand balljoints, a highly respected brand by most accounts.

I asked if I could open the box and have a look - and guess what? Those "Moog" balljoints are Three Five balljoints, same brand I bought from Rock as Spicer Professional Grade parts!