89 RT4WD Wagon - Upper Ball Joints

cogitocogito Wagonist
in Suspension, Braking & Wheels
My mechanic told me I need a new upper ball joint on the passenger side. However, he says that in the 88 and 89 year wagons, that the upper ball joints cannot be removed and replaced separately, that they are part of the upper control arm assembly. He says that in 90 this changed, and the upper ball joints could be removed/replaced independently. I called a local Honda dealer and the parts guy says the mechanic is wrong, and that the UBJ is available separately. There is a big difference in the price, $8 for a separate BJ, versus $130 for the upper control arm with a BJ. I don't want to get into an argument with the mechanic since he usually seems to know what he's doing. Does anybody know the straight scoop on this?

Comments

  • turbo_tegturbo_teg Council Member
    The mechanic is right we see this from time to time at our shop we generally call up the wrecking yard and get ourselves one that can be changed, put a new on into it and charge acordingly. u never know u may be able to pick one up from the junk yard thats still good and not even need a new one.... and theres always after market camber adjustable ones u can get......
  • cogitocogito Wagonist
    You mean you get a control arm assembly off a 90 or 91? Do you know if the ones from the other civic models are compatible with the wagon?
  • turbo_tegturbo_teg Council Member
    i dont know what years have the replaceable ball joints we just tell them we need an upper control arm for a civic that has a servisable ball joint and they bring us one. u can use one out of any civic, crx, 4-door, hatch they are all the same.
  • cogitocogito Wagonist
    Thanks, what year(s) are compatible with my 89?
  • turbo_tegturbo_teg Council Member
    88-91 but im not sure what years have a replacable upper ball joint.
  • lalunettelalunette familEE
    cogito wrote:
    There is a big difference in the price, $8 for a separate BJ


    Wow, $8 for a BJ. :twisted:
  • wagodizzlewagodizzle Council Member and EDM expert
    sounds like a deal!!
  • quartersquarters Council Member
    i've replaced that upper control arm/ball joint in many EF's and have never just changed the balljoint part. Replace the whole upper control arm using parts from any 88-91 civic/crx.
  • cogitocogito Wagonist
    Apparently the ball joints can be easily replaced in the 90-91 control arms. So I guess I should get one of those, right? I'm a little surprised that you guys are saying any model Civic from those years all use the same control arm/ball joints. I would've thought that a RT4WD wagon's suspension parts would not be compatible with the Civic sedan, Si, CRX, etc. Go figger.

    I found my shop manual (89) and if I understand it correctly, it says you can change the ball joint in an 89 control arm, but you need a special Honda tool to remove it. Maybe that's why people say you can't replace the BJs in the 88-89s, cause they don't have the special tool? Anyway, I'll look around for a 90-91.
  • cogitocogito Wagonist
    quarters wrote:
    i've replaced that upper control arm/ball joint in many EF's and have never just changed the balljoint part. Replace the whole upper control arm using parts from any 88-91 civic/crx.
    Why would you replace the control arm if it only needed a ball joint?
  • honda>*honda>* Band Wagon
    cogito wrote:
    quarters wrote:
    i've replaced that upper control arm/ball joint in many EF's and have never just changed the balljoint part. Replace the whole upper control arm using parts from any 88-91 civic/crx.
    Why would you replace the control arm if it only needed a ball joint?

    some of them are pressed in, and then welded from the factory..thats the point of this thread.
  • cogitocogito Wagonist
    Yes, that is the point. Some of them are not pressed in, and can be replaced. I was told that 90-91 were of this type. I was asking why he would replace the control arm if he only needed a ball joint and could replace just that.
  • quartersquarters Council Member
    why not is the better question. the bushings in that upper control arm can/do go bad. and, it's just easier and still very cheap.
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