Ive been looking for a low mileage last-generation RL for about a year. I finally found the right car and pulled the trigger on a super-clean 2011 RL Advance with under 50k. It is replacing my '09 Accord V6. One of the things I liked about the car is it has a full service history from Acura. The previous owner had the dealer replaced the lower control arms at 42k miles because the tech said the ball joints were worn. It was a $1k repair. Is it usual for ball joints to need to be replaced that soon? I have 90k on my V6 Accord and haven't needed any front end work, although I know it is a lighter car than the RL..

Thanks!

 

congrats on the purchase, its uncommon to replace the ball joints at 42k miles (most likely that the PO ran over something) and yes the ball joint is pricey on the RL. You have to replace the entire control arm, the lower arm is like $500 per side.

 

If you are going for OEM parts and dealer to do the work, it will be pricey no matter what you do to your car lol
Rockauto.com has variety of good aftermarket parts. In the case you need to get control arms replaced, I did replace all in front (upper and lower) and it was not super expensive - I did not go with OEM fyi.

 

Thanks for the responses. The previous owner had the work done when he owned it. He was the general manager of the Acura dealer, so I'm sure he got a good deal on the parts and labor.

I didn't think it seemed normal for the ball joints to only last 42k miles.

 

It is definitely not an ordinary case, but there are always exceptions to any and every situation...

 

Congrats on your purchase! The RL will treat you well. Make sure to look at all of the DIYs on this forum. There is no need to get maintenance done at the dealership. The RL is super easy to work on and you'll save a lot of money amd headache knowing the job was done right.

 

Any suspension work that early either they hit something or this is a “city” car.

 

unless you got the special hook up lol.