After getting the B service from the dealership, they notified me that the front, right ball joint needs replacement. IT is not broken but just loose. It will cost almost $300 including parts labour and tax.
I guess my first question is, how critical is it that I replace it immediately? Do I have some time with it if I just drive carefully on smooth roads while I research some more?


Should I get this done my the dealership with Acura pieces or can I just take it to a reputable garage and still retain the quality. What would you recommend for part or service of the ball joint? thanks

 

There's a upper and lower ball joint. I don't know which one the dealership is talking about, but if it's the lower ball joint the part is here

http://www.oemacuraparts.com/oem-par.../51220-sda-a02

I can't find the upper ball joint by itself. If you buy a upper control arm, the upper ball joint is also included in the upper control arm assembly and even comes already pressed into place.

The upper control arm is easy to do and for a beginner may take 1 hour per side. Or you can buy your own part and take it to a shop (not a dealership) and they might charge you 1-1.5 hours which can be anywhere from $80-$135 labor alone. This is for one side of course.

If it's the lower ball joint than it will need to get pressed out and back in. You can also take your car to a shop and just give them the lower ball joint and have them press it in. Might pay anywhere from $45-$90 for the shop to press it in for you. Also for one side.

As for the severity and how soon you need to get it done is hard to say without actually being there to see how much play is in it. If it's enough to affect your alignment and tire wear than I would get it done.

Just remember. Prices at the dealership is always going to be more expensive than EVERY other non-dealership type shop.

Now if you see a shop charging more than a dealership than you know something's not right lol

 

get it fixed before it breaks

 

during an oil change, the mechanic told me my front left ball is pushed completely out of place, he told me not to worry about it and we can look more into it next oil change.
I asked if there were any risks he told me not to worry about anything. Idk if this really says anything lol..all i have

 

Lower and Upper ball joint failures

 

get it replaced when you can, but I wouldnt say its life threatening until you start hearing clunking noises all the time

 

ugh looks like i gotta replace mines then

 

300 bucks is a good deal in my opinion if you've never replaced a lower ball joint.
Reason I say that is, I fk'd up my wheel bearing putting the axle back in because the knuckle ring became loose and messed up the magnetic encoder.
I ended up spending probably 300 bucks buying tools, and additional parts to fix that.


If you do plan on doing it yourself, take out the lower control arm with the knuckle attached. Its a lot easier to pop the ball joint that way.


Here are a few tips that can help:


*buy a new axle spindle nut. as the old one might deform when you bang out the axle ( use a plastic hammer )
*get this ball joint tool and don't use a pickle fork.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/22mm-Universal-Ball-Joint-Tie-Rod-End-Separator-Remover-Puller-/141151910635?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item20dd4f3aeb&vxp=mtr

*you'll need an alignment afterwards.
* Change both from lower ball joints.






*

 

Loose? Loose from what? Exactly what do they mean by that?

And I agree, $300 including parts and labor is a good price if you really need this done.

 

If the problem is the upper ball joint, they sell the control arm with the ball joint in it.
Easier than the lower ball joint to replace as long as you remove the front strut which will give you better leverage in getting those two horizontal bolts out.

 

Does the $300 include the alignment you'll need?