Crap, torn lower ball joint boot - Honda Prelude Forum

Prelude_RCR · 05-22-2002, 08:26 AM

During part of the swap, I had to run to the bathroom and I tell my cuz to hold up til I come back. *We were in the process of removing the axles* So my idiot cousin, thinking he's the king of swaps, takes a forked prying tool and jabs at the lower control arm ball joint to seperate the joint. He pounds it with a hammer to try and loosen it. I come back from the restroom, and was wondering why there was grease all over the forked prying tool. I look under the lower control arm and there's a big gash on the boot. Damn.

After I get the swap done, I'm going to have to replace that boot. Anyone replace the lower ball joint boot before? And how much grease should I pack into it? TIA. *BTW, he's not touching the car again*

orangecrush · 05-22-2002, 09:09 AM

are you sure you're not talking about the cv boot? as far as i can remember, the ball joints aren't in a "boot" per se. go to your honda dealer and get a cv boot kit - it'll have everything you need down to the grease.

Prelude_RCR · 05-22-2002, 09:33 AM

I don't think so. Check out this pic:

It's the lower control arm ball joint, right above the castle nut. Looking at the picture, it's between the lower control arm and the brake caliper. That rubber boot is filled with grease.

orangecrush · 05-22-2002, 09:38 AM

ahh i see...why do i remember mine as different? i was able to just pick up one ball joint set (a pair of joints). i don't remember if it was a whole kit though. but i would call your honda dealer anyways...i've discovered on things like general maintenance, OEM honda rules

Prelude_RCR · 05-22-2002, 10:42 AM

Thanx for the help. I'll have to stop by today after work and see what's needed.

LoudLude · 05-22-2002, 08:15 PM

ugh damn. Hit your friend once for me, you are not in for an easy task. 99% of the parts stores you go to will tell you it cannot be ordered seperately. That is incorrect. I ended up buying mine at NAPA for $70.

I am not sure if you can just re-boot it or not. If you could, it would make life easier.

To remove mine, I had to let it soak in penetrating oil for a day or so, then heated up the knucke around it, and simply slammed that thing upwards with a sledgehammer. (it is not easy).

I tried everything under the sun to get the new one in, froze the ball joint, heated the knuckle, sledge, ball joint press, lube, everything. After a few days of absolute agony, I opted just to pull the whole knuckle off and take it in to my local honda shop. They actually pressed the new ball joint in in about 5 minutes and charged me nothing.

In summary, if you cannot re-boot the joint (i dont think you can) then I suggest you pull the steering knuckle off and take it along with your new ball joint into a honda service center and let them install the ball joint.

hope I helped.
Good Luck.

Prelude_RCR · 05-23-2002, 06:30 AM

Oh great.