David536

Hi, I just bought a used 2005 RL 156000 KM. After an inspection from my mecanician friend, we saw that both front lower ball joint are very loose and are needed to be change. But, when I look for the part number on acuraoemparts.com, it seems like I can't buy only the ball joint and that I need to buy the whole arm which is 400$ USD each. That's a very high cost... Do you know where I could buy front lower ball joint? Everywhere I'm looking at, they only sell the upper ball joint... Anybody here had to change his front lower ball joint?

Thank you in advance

P.S.: Sorry if my english isn't perfect, I'm from Québec, Canada, so I'm a french speaker.

projektvertx

iTrader: (2)

I'm almost 100% sure the only way to replace the lower ball joint is by replacing the entire control arm. I don't know of anywhere that supplies the lower ball joint separate from the lower arm. Sorry!

odinisamu

You do have to replace the whole control arm. Our suspension bits are made of aluminum so the ball joints can't be pressed in and out like you can with steel/iron control arms. On the bright side it makes the installation go a lot quicker and the you get new bushings too.

David536

Ok, thank you for your fast answer guys!

teh CL

iTrader: (1)

Went through this a few weeks ago. Dealer only part & retail is about $1200 CDN for both

blaser

Just replaced both sides, 68K miles on my car.
part ~400.
Labor at a mechanic shop 200
Alignment 85
Dealer wanted 1700 + taxes, crazy

Ratheruneeq

wait LOL Kb1 ball joint replacement requires replacing the whole control arm?! Wtf? Hows anyone supposed to keep these cars when the dealer stops supplying and discontinues parts?!? WTF?

odinisamu

Hmm, looks like an aftermarket lower control arm (made by Dorman for around $200) is available for the 2009-12 RL but isn't listed for the 2005-08. There was a mid cycle refresh to the J37 engine and beak - but was the suspension changed? Anyone know if the LCA will fit on the pre-refresh RL?

Ratheruneeq - the issue is endemic to all cars with aluminum suspension bits.

Jonion

The aftermarket lower arms for 05-08 are/were available as I changed both of ours a few months back.
Cost about $220(for the pair) for Beck/Arnley.

I believe most are listed as correct fitment for all years, I know the ones I used are.

alfadoctor

Thank you for posting this as this is a topic I was going to research out. Where can I get the Beck Arnley number and supplier? $220 beats out $382 from Acura Parts warehouse if it is the same part.

Ratheruneeq

In my humble opinion paying $162 more for the reassurance of OEM quality and reassurance isnt all that bad. I could see if it was $500 but you can never go wrong with OEM.

alfadoctor

YOu have to remember that this is times 2 so the cost spread is even more. I agree with you on the OEM part, just looking for a better price for the same part.

Jonion

I agree that there is a perceived benefit from having OEM parts but often it is nothing more real than perceived.
The ones I fitted look just as good as the OEM and I have a lot of experience in suspension parts.

BECK/ARNLEY 1027677
BECK/ARNLEY 1027676

I got mine from Rockauto but I believe they can be had elsewhere.

$220 vs $790... no brainer imo.

Ratheruneeq

Nothing more than percieved? Its called craftsmanship. Go buy some aftermarket cv axles and see if you can put 3k miles on the before they click n blow.... i mean afterall youll save a couple hundred.....
Oh RockAuto is the place to go imo

Jonion

Exactly as I stated, I trust you have more than my 30 years of automotive work experience and have fitted more than the hundreds (if not thousands) of suspension parts that I have.

BTW I stated 'often', sometimes it's not but not as often as some would have you believe. Honda don't make all their own parts you know.

And a couple of hundred is a big deal to some people, in this case $600 is probably a big deal to most.

Just trying to help people out here, if you insist on only buying OEM parts then fine, you pays yer money, you takes yer choice.

Ratheruneeq

Your stats are fine and dandy. Every car is different. Im not saying every single part needs to be OEM or that every aftermarket part is inferior. Certain parts though youre always better sticking with OEM for safety and quality issues.
Beck arnley i hear isnt all that bad. I know Moogs premium aftermarket lines are as good or exceed oem quality. Ill personally never buy aftermarket axles ever again.
My mechanic once swore buy getting me these NEW axles for my g2 legend. They didnt make to my next oil change and he was swore they were good as he used them on plenty of vehicles.... yet and still it has been well documented in the legend community that theres really much of any aftermarket axles that hold up well in the legends....
Im sure youve done plenty of work and are plenty experienced.
But to be honest, when you buy a used or new 55k luxury car one needs to factor in the expenses of maintaining it properly otherwise go buy an eco less expensive vehicle.

Jonion

I always buy aftermarket axles/driveshafts, I use them on daily drivers, race cars and all those in between, from cheapo Civics to Aston Martins.
The amount of failures due to poor quality is extremely small.
Maybe you got unlucky but that's no real reason to never use something ever again.
All these parts do have warranties as well.

alfadoctor

If you buy new after market you might be getting something from China. A local repair shop said to buy rebuilt originals as they will last longer. I just don't want to be half way across Texas in the middle of no where when the axle blows out. The local Honda shop said they buy Napa and never had an issue. I might opt for the Beck-Arnleys and see how they hold up. Some parts are from one source, just a different label and box it comes inas it the case of the power belt tensioner. It was from Napa and side by side it was identical to the original part in every respect. A whole lot cheaper too!

Ratheruneeq

For the legend OEM reman was the way to go.

David536

sorry for the late answer, but do you know where I can order those part?

BECK/ARNLEY 1027677
BECK/ARNLEY 1027676

Can't find them in stock in an online store...

Jonion

I got mine from RockAuto... don't think they have them in stock right now though.
Try a search on Ebay perhaps. I think there were some on there last time I looked.