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Looking for some advice regarding font end suspension. While driving 65mph on the way, the driver side ball joint decided to come apart. Thankfully I did not hit anyone nor hurt myself. I attached a few pictures to give a more specific idea of what I am up against. I "could" go through insurance, but I think they will total my car and it's worth me keeping. Second owner, all maintenance up to date with 165k miles. Had my mechanic go look at it and he told me it will need CV Axle, lower control arm, ball joint, fender & rocker panel. There was transmission fluid on the ground but after he inspected the car, he said transmission should be okay. In the 10 years I have owned 3G TL's, I have always replaced parts on both sides at the same time. IF there is no damage to the passenger side and everything is in place, would you suggest both sides replaced and is there anything else I need to have checked out prior to putting it back on the road. Also, the tow truck driver said in most cases like this, the fender will snap off either while pulling onto the flat bed or when removing it from the flat bed. Thankfully this did not happen during the tow. However, I will need to have it towed to my mechanic. Any advised would be appreciated, as I LOVE my TL but I must be cost effective. Thanks guys.
As you clearly found out, it's the lower ball joint is the weak point. At the bare minimum I would have the passenger side lower BJ replaced at the same time; Sankei 555's are the go-to replacements.
I'm going to guess you had some work done to your car which required someone to remove the ball joint nut.
Correct?
It was then over tightened or under tightened.
Typical balljoint failures, the ball pulls out of the socket (see my photo).
Your photos show no nut or stud. Meaning either the threaded stud itself broke, or the nut fell off.. Look at your old ball joint. If the threaded stud failed, its probably not a ball joint issue. Its an installation issue. This is an important distinction because it changes the course of action for prevention.
Anyway, buy genuine Honda/Acura replacement balljoints. I would not trust any aftermarket joint. Also, check your control arm for issues.
Yes, get both sides. Also buy the genuine Acura castle nut, specific for your year of TL.
Make sure the tech installs everything properly. Following the FSM's procedure and torque spec is very important. A lot of techs will over torque these studs because they're in a rush. Ball joint nuts should not be installed with an impact.
Thanks BROlando for all the details, I appreciate it. I had struts replaced recently so I am almost positive over or under tightening may have caused this to happen. Any recommendations on where to get OEM parts besides the dealer?
Thanks BROlando for all the details, I appreciate it. I had struts replaced recently so I am almost positive over or under tightening may have caused this to happen. Any recommendations on where to get OEM parts besides the dealer?
Curryacuraparts.com
They're a dealer. But like many other dealers, will sell parts online at huge discounts vs going to a local dealership.
As you clearly found out, it's the lower ball joint is the weak point.
I must have missed this comment.
Just to keep the information on the site factual, I'll point out that this is absolutely false. The factory lower ball joint isn't a weak point - no idea what you mean.
ya the term "weak" is relative. All I can say is that I also installed Sankei 555's around 70k to 85k miles. I do not remember the exact mileage. So far the Sankei's are still ok at 132k miles.
But many of us have already replaced the ball joints early on.. I mean this subject goes way back to methuselah
ya the term "weak" is relative. All I can say is that I also installed Sankei 555's around 70k to 85k miles. I do not remember the exact mileage. So far the Sankei's are still ok at 132k miles.
But many of us have already replaced the ball joints early on.. I mean this subject goes way back to methuselah
These examples stem from someone doing work to the car and ripping the boot, with the exception of the guy with 3K miles. Not sure what happened there.
The factory ball joints on Hondas/Acuras are probably better designed than a majority of other cars on the road, though.
These examples stem from someone doing work to the car and ripping the boot, with the exception of the guy with 3K miles. Not sure what happened there.
The factory ball joints on Hondas/Acuras are probably better designed than a majority of other cars on the road, though.
@Brolando
i'm not seeing the LBJ as a separate part on these cars anymore.. I'm looking at oemacuraparts.com and it only shows up as part of the whole knuckle... Am i blind, do you have a part number for just the lower ball joint?
i'm not seeing the LBJ as a separate part on these cars anymore..I'm looking at oemacuraparts.com and it only shows up as part of the whole knuckle... Am i blind, do you have a part number for just the lower ball joint?
wow how strange… going to start using that from now on, thanks Zeta!
You bet!
There is a limitation with APW.com though.
If you want to find parts for a 2022 model, other than a MDX, it's no bueno.
So, if you want to 'help' forum members with part #'s, for instance, that have later than 2022 Acura models, I go straight to dreamshop.honda.com which, although limited, goes up to 2025.
Dammit I saw this too late!!
I needed to buy just one castle nut for the LBJ so I went to my tried and trusty oemacuraparts.com and as @thoiboi said, doesn't list LBJ separately. Luckily HeelToe had a Sankei 555 in stock so I just bought one yesterday.
Guess I'll bookmark APW.com above oemacuraparts now
There is a limitation with APW.com though.
If you want to find parts for a 2022 model, other than a MDX, it's no bueno.
So, if you want to 'help' forum members with part #'s, for instance, that have later than 2022 Acura models, I go straight to dreamshop.honda.com which, although limited, goes up to 2025.
meh those guys are on their own. Ill stick to me pre-2020 cars
Originally Posted by twokexlv6coupe
Dammit I saw this too late!!
I needed to buy just one castle nut for the LBJ so I went to my tried and trusty oemacuraparts.com and as @thoiboi said, doesn't list LBJ separately. Luckily HeelToe had a Sankei 555 in stock so I just bought one yesterday.
Guess I'll bookmark APW.com above oemacuraparts now
im mostly partial to oemacuraparts because ive had good dealings with Tim plus his dealer(AZ) is closer to CA so things get here faster. But i will now use Acurapartswarehouse to get the number and then purchase from Tim
Another 'convenient' functionality of APW.com is as soon as you open the 'sub-category' you can tell what part is:
1) available by the dotted lines surrounding the number (red)
2) not available or possibly discontinued by the lack of dotted lines surrounding the number (orange)
3) place cursor over the dotted line number and it expands / opens-up to display the actual part number & price (purple). BEFORE scrolling down the page.
4) That's where I will quickly left click highlight the part number (yellow) and initiate a google search to find the best price, APW's can be on the higher side.
Very efficient!
06-28-2024, 07:58 AM
