Honda 51220-SK7-003 Joint, Ball (Lower) (Musashi)

To check ball joint play, raise and support the front of the vehicle on jackstands, then clamp a dial indicator onto the lower control arm with the indicator tip placed on the steering knuckle near the ball joint. Use a pry bar between the lower control arm and the steering knuckle to work the ball joint and check for looseness; if the play exceeds 0.5mm, the ball joint should be replaced. For lubrication, remove the screw plug from the bottom of the ball joint and install a grease nipple, then lubricate with NLGI No. 2 multipurpose type grease, remove the nipple, and reinstall the screw plug, repeating for the other ball joint. For removal and installation on 1984-87 models, safely support the vehicle, remove the wheel and tire assembly, and then the steering knuckle. Pry off the snapring and remove the boot, followed by the circlip. Use a suitable ball joint remover/installer to tighten the ball joint nut, position the remover base over the ball joint, and press it out of the knuckle. To install, place the ball joint in position by hand, use the remover/installer and installer base to press the ball joint in, and then reinstall the remaining components in reverse order, tightening the ball joint nut to 32 ft. lbs. (44 Nm).

To begin, raise and safely support the vehicle, then remove the front wheel and tire assembly. Next, grasp the steering knuckle and move it back and forth. If any play is detected, replace the upper control arm on all models except Prelude; for Prelude, replace the upper ball joint. The upper ball joint is an integral component of the upper control arm, and if it is defective, the entire upper control arm must be replaced.