Front Lower Ball Joint Replacement, Knuckle-Off Press Method (Civic EG/EK, Integra DC2)

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Time 3-4 hours per side

Level Difficult

Steps 12

Done by

In progress You stopped at step of 12.

Caution

Use a proper ball joint press; hammering new joints in risks damaging them.
Wear eye protection when using a press; parts can let go suddenly.
Never let the caliper hang on the brake hose.
Torque values were not given in the sources used for this guide; use the factory service manual for your car.
Delphi notes that for its Civic joint the OE allows only one press-in replacement per knuckle; if the bore is damaged or the joint has been replaced before, a new knuckle may be needed. Check the bore before pressing.

Introduction

On 1990s Civics and Integras the front lower ball joint is pressed into the steering knuckle, so replacing it means removing the knuckle or driving the joint out and in on the car. MOTOR magazine's Dan Marinucci notes that many technicians hammer joints out and in on the car, and that it is easy to slip and damage the new joint (https://www.motor.com/magazinepdfs/072011_04.pdf). The more careful method used here takes the knuckle off and presses the old joint out and the new one in with adapters that push only on the joint's outer body. Tool and adapter coverage varies: OTC's Honda lower ball joint adapter sheet lists the 1988-94 Civic/CRX and 1993-94 del Sol, and Schley's on-car kit lists the 1991-97 Civic and 1992-2001 Integra. Confirm that your joint and adapters match your car, especially for the 1996-2000 EK. Adapted from a how-to by Delphi Technologies (https://www.delphiautoparts.com/en-us/resource-center/article/how-to-replace-a-press-in-ball-joint).

Procedure

12 steps

Step 1: Loosen and lift

With the car on the ground, loosen the axle nut and lug nuts. Lift the front, support it on jack stands and remove the wheel.
Step 2: Remove the brakes

Unbolt the caliper and hang it from the suspension so it does not hang on the hose. Remove the rotor.
Step 3: Separate the ball joints and tie rod

Remove the cotter pins and castle nuts and separate the outer tie rod end, the upper ball joint and the lower ball joint from the knuckle with the separator.
Step 4: Remove the knuckle

Remove the axle nut, push the axle back out of the hub (an axle press helps if it is stuck) and lift the knuckle off. Support the axle so the inner joint does not over-extend.
Step 5: Remove the boot

Knock the old rubber boot off the ball joint with a screwdriver and hammer; the new joint comes with its own boot. If your knuckle has a snap ring retaining the joint, remove it now. Delphi notes that its replacement joint has no clip, but check your factory manual.
Step 6: Press out the old joint

Set the press and Honda adapters on the knuckle as the tool instructions show, check everything is square, and tighten the forcing screw until the old joint is out.
Step 7: Prepare the bore

Clean the knuckle bore and coat it lightly with lubricant.
Step 8: Press in the new joint

Start the new joint as straight as possible. Use an installer cup that bears only on the joint's metal outer body, never on the boot or stud. Tighten the press slowly, wiggling it to keep things aligned, until the joint is fully seated against the knuckle.
Step 9: Refit the boot

Fit the new boot and its retaining clip without tearing it.
Step 10: Reinstall the knuckle

Slide the axle back into the hub, then connect the lower and upper ball joints and the tie rod end. Torque the castle nuts to Honda's specification and fit new cotter pins.
Step 11: Brakes, axle nut and wheel

Refit the rotor and caliper, tightening the caliper bolts to the factory figure. Fit the axle nut, torque it to the factory spec and stake it. Refit the wheel and torque the lug nuts. Pump the brake pedal until it is firm before the car moves.
Step 12: Align

Lower the car and have the alignment checked.

Tips

An air-hammer driver kit made for Hondas (Schley 68600, covering 1990-2002 Accord, 1991-97 Civic and 1992-2001 Integra) is an on-car alternative to pulling the knuckle.
Compare the new joint to the old one before pressing to confirm it is the right part.
Doing the job on the bench with the knuckle off is slower but much less likely to damage the new joint.

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