Lately when i drive my car over a rough road it almost feels like my front suspension is loose and makes some wierd noises like squeeks almost, i have about 131,000 miles on my 2000 acura tl, Do you guys think it's from the ball joints?
How easy are those to change?
Is there instructions anywhere?

thanx guys.

 

I've always wondered about this. I've driven a couple of high mileage cars and felt that, and in one replacing struts didn't help. Sigh..age..

 

i would suspect the front struts first then the joints last

 

Its the ball joints, I just had this problem. Squeeking over bumps. At first, I also thought it was my front suspension (Koni Yellows) but I got it checked and it is the ball joints.

 

Only way to get the balljoints is to replace the complete knuckle. When you do that you also need a new wheel bearing. Parts are around $500 for one side.

 

Woah...I have this same problem now (the squeaking) and my mechanic just quoted $170 for the ball joint. He didn't mention anything about the knuckle....

I hope I don't need $500.

 

ok, now i know they would not design the car where you would have to replace the entire knuckle to get the ball joints, thats just bad design. You have to be able to get to the ball joints, i will check it out this weekend, and do some more research on this topic.

 

If you go through your dealer, they will replace the whole knuckle. But at a local mechanic shop, they will replace just a ball joint.

 

Yes Just had it done at Sears, they charge $56 for the ball joint made by "MOOG" seems to be the best brand for ball joint according to a few shops, and the labor was $70. So about $130 in all for one side to be replaced.

 

I have the same problem and Acura just quoted me 800$ for this. Has anybody had any long running success with local ball joints? I have the problem on both sides, but I'm only replacing the driver side today. I'll do a local mechanic for the passenger side if it apepars to be successfull.

 

moog is gooood stuff