Honda 51220-SL5-013 Joint, Front Ball (Lower)

The ball joint is attached to the upper control arm, and if this has been damaged then the whole assembly of the control arm will be required. To do an inspection, initially, lift and secure the car off the ground, the put jack below the lower control arm and raise it about 2 inches 50mm. If the car is to be jacked up from the front then try to hold the upper and lower ends of the front tires and try to jerk it side ways. When there is convincing of looseness at the upper portion of the tire, then the tire/wheel assembly should be removed and a suitable pry tool used to examine the upper control arm bushings for looseness; if there is looseness, then the upper control arm should be replaced. Also, use pry tool to check for looseness of the steering knuckle to the upper control arm, if there is looseness replace the control arm assembly. The upper ball joints cannot be replaced individually and hence, if worn out or damaged, the upper control arm needs to be replaced .

To inspect the vehicle, first raise and safely support it, then place a suitable jack under the lower control arm and lift it upward by 2 inches (50mm). Grasp the upper and lower portions of the front tires and attempt to rock them back and forth; if looseness is felt at the lower portion of the tire, use a suitable pry tool to pry between the steering knuckle and the lower control arm, and if looseness is present, replace the lower joint. For removal and installation, after removing the steering knuckle, use special press tools and a sturdy vise to press the ball joint out of the knuckle. Begin by removing the brake caliper and brake rotor from the steering knuckle assembly, then remove the steering knuckle assembly from the vehicle. Pry off the ball joint boot snap ring and remove the boot, checking its condition for any damage. Install the ball joint removal/installer around the ball joint spindle with the large end facing out, and tighten the ball joint castle nut to hold the tool in position. Position the knuckle with the installed tool into a suitable vise, tightening it to press the ball joint out of the steering knuckle. For installation, position the new ball joint into the hole of the steering knuckle, then install the ball joint removal/installer on the spindle side with the small end facing out. Set the assembly in a large vise and tighten it to press the ball joint into the steering knuckle. Pack the interior of the ball joint boot with grease, adjust the boot clip guide tool until it aligns with the groove on the boot, and slide the clip into position on the ball joint boot, seating the snap ring in the groove. The remainder of the installation follows the reverse order of removal.