Just received my order for lower ball joints. They are OEM parts # 51220-SDA-A02.

I was wondering if anyone knew if they already come greased inside, or do I have to open them up and grease them myself?

And I know I can use a pitman puller to remove the lower ball joint, but what am I supposed to use to press the new lower ball joint in?

I'm looking for something that I can go to AutoZone or O'Reilys to rent. They have pitman pullers available to remove the ball joint, but I don't know what the part to press it in is called to search. Can anyone help?

 

they are already grease from the factory, You "shouldnt" have to regrease the Ball joints ever.

I used a bearing press to get mine in. worked great.

 

You do know there was a recall only a few months ago... take a look... its also available on Recall.gov

Make: ACURA Model: TL Model Year: 2005 Manufacturer: AFFINIA GROUP, INC. Mfr's Report Date: JUN 16, 2011 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 11E022000 NHTSA Action Number: N/A Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT Summary:
AFFINIA IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS, NAPA PART NO. 2601662, THAT MAY HAVE BEEN MISTAKENLY INSTALLED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 - 2008 ACURA TL VEHICLES DUE TO A MISTAKE IN A NAPA AND NAPA DEALERS' PARTS APPLICATION CATALOGUE. Consequence:
MISAPPLICATION OF THIS PART COULD LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND COLLAPSE OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A VEHICLE CRASH. Remedy:
AFFINIA IS WORKING WITH NAPA TO IDENTIFY ANY OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS PART MISTAKENLY INSTALLED ON TO AN ACURA TL VEHICLE, AND WILL REPLACE THE PART FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 20, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AFFINIA GROUP'S WARRANTY ADMINISTRATOR AT 1-815-759-7757. Notes:
OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

 

That recall pertains to aftermarket ball joints purchased and sold by NAPA autoparts, not the OEM honda/acura ball joints. Thanks though

 

I'd take the control arm off and bring it to a shop to press the new one in.

If you want, you can probably hammer the new one in. Air hammer is nice. Just make sure it goes in straight but again, I'd take the control arm off.

 

If you have time and access, take it off and go to a machine shop to have it pressed as mentioned above. If not, use this:
http://www.matcotools.com/catalog/pr...-PRESS-W-CASE/

 

Any idea how much it would cost to have a shop machine press in the new ball joint for me?

Will it cost $90/hour ??

 

Maybe $50-65? Shouldn't be that bad. Any shop with a press should be able to do it so call around.