Rear Lower Ball Joint The Same As The Front Lower Ball Joint?? - Honda Prelude Forum

ludestarbai · 09-23-2008, 11:57 AM

Alright fellahs, I was about to go purchase another 4th gen knuckle beacuse I've gotta get a good lower ball joint.

However, someoen on honda-tech just replied to a thread of mine over there saying that the front lower ball joint ist he same as the rear lower ball joint.
Thread here: Honda-Tech.com: Honda Prelude: Rear lower ball joint----

That would be great for me beacuse I hve an extra front lower ball joint ( I was gonna replace my frontpassenger side along with my screwed driver side but I didn't need to)

The thing is, none of the parts sites on line even lists the ball joints beacuse honda doesn't sell just the rear lower ball joint, they sell the whole knuckle.

So I dont know how to confirm that I can use my front lower ball joint on my rear. I kinda eye balled it and it looked similiar but i mean how different can ball joints look, its all about the size right??

So if anyone can confirm that they're the same, or give me any idea on how to check to see if they could be. ways of measuring etc... I'd really appreciate it.

I'd really like to not have to go buy a used knuckle when I've already got one. (esp since most of the used ones out there have ball joint boots that are all kindsa screwed up)

Thanks!

ludestarbai · 09-23-2008, 05:22 PM

anyone?

ludestarbai · 09-23-2008, 10:30 PM

Ok guys, so after a long day at work I decided to take my frustration out on ball joint. I got the OEM one out, and I started comparing it to the aftermarket one I got.

It seems that it will fit in the knuckle just fine. Snug and everything. Plus the aftermarket new one comes with those little c clamp things that kinda help to hold it in.

The difference arises in the circumference of the part of the ball joint that goes into the lower control arm. Its slightly skinnier than the OEM one.
That being said, while it will go into the knuckle just fine, it will not â€˜lock intoâ€™ the lower control arm the way the OEM one does. Its not very snug at all.

So obviously the castle nut/cotter pin will hold the knuckle to the lower control arm, but is it safe for it to not lock in like that? I mean I would think with the weight of the whole car on it plus the castle nut on it that it should be just fine.

So any comments or suggestions would really be appreciated. Anyone that can help me decide whether or not this is safe enough to do. I am no mechanic here so I just need input for pros and cons and realistic expectations here.

Here are some comparison pics. The one with no boot is obviously the OEM lower rear ball joint, and the one that looks new is actually an aftermarket replacement for the front lower ball joint.

Remember that everything seen her is in regards to a 4th gen 2ws model.

TruNinja619 · 09-23-2008, 10:49 PM

looks like you got the wrong one...

ludestarbai · 09-24-2008, 09:01 AM

Actually, upon further inspection, I realized that the tip of the ball joint is a lot skinnier than the base (if that makes sense, I don’t know the correct terminology)

when I put it into the lower control arm, I didn't reallly push it in, its not gonna fit snug until the castle nut pulls it in and makes it seat well on that lower arm.

so from the looks of it, i should be ok---

prelude72569858 · 03-27-2009, 02:23 PM

How did it turn out?

ludestarbai · 03-27-2009, 02:39 PM

well months later its fine. so far no issues, fit in there well hasn't popped out or anything, I check it every few months or so just to make sure. I say go for it!

natemanas · 04-05-2009, 10:11 PM

You really ought to use a balljoint press.. even a handheld C type press to make sure it's all the. way in though.

ludestarbai · 04-06-2009, 09:29 AM

I definitly agree with the use of a ball joint press or a shop press. at the time I only had access to this kinda kit you can rent from autozone for free

It did the job!

minilogoguy18 · 04-06-2009, 10:33 AM

Odd that they're different but it could be just because its aftermarket vs oem, aftermarket is never quite exact. I do know however that the upper ball joints are the same all around, where did you buy these? I need some new lower ones...

ludestarbai · 04-06-2009, 10:40 AM

I bought all the stuff from the ebay seller: "bestsuspension"

Thier office is like 2 blocks away from my house so I ended up going to pick most of it up from thier location.

eBay Store - World Suspension: ball joint upper lower, control arm upper lower, pitman arm