Lude Generation

On my 1995 Prelude 2.2 4WS, I've gone and mushroomed the bolt on the end of the ball joint on my front N/S arm, while taking the LCA off for polybuyshing. This means I can no longer get the castle nut to go back the bolt.

Is it possible to replace these ball joints ? If so, how difficult is it ?

Also, if I get a replacement arm with ball joint, and the ball joint has a broken rubber, is it possible to replace the rubber on the ball joint ?

It is possible, you'll have to remove the knuckle completely, there is a circlip holding it on, though its also pressed in an that's where it gets difficult.

The boot can be replaced easily.

Vtecmec wrote:It is possible, you'll have to remove the knuckle completely, there is a circlip holding it on, though its also pressed in an that's where it gets difficult.

The boot can be replaced easily.

Thanks. I don't suppose you'd know what size ball joint to replace it with ? Do you think it would be easier to simply get a replacement knuckle and replace the boot on it ?

uberNoobZA wrote:

Vtecmec wrote:It is possible, you'll have to remove the knuckle completely, there is a circlip holding it on, though its also pressed in an that's where it gets difficult.

The boot can be replaced easily.

Thanks. I don't suppose you'd know what size ball joint to replace it with ? Do you think it would be easier to simply get a replacement knuckle and replace the boot on it ?

You should be able to find the correct replacement ball joint going via a parts store, eurocarparts...etc and putting in your car specs.

The lower front ball joint is the honda legend one
Honda would only ever sell you the whole knuckle assembly on the lude but would sell you just a lower ball joint on the honda legend of the same era - they are the same size
There are plenty aftermarket ones on ebay but beware some of the cheaper chinese ones will not last very long and the ball joint boot is easy to damage when fitting it - well that is if you dont take the boot off the ball joint before pressing it into place. Ive got a delphi front ball joint for honda legend on the front of my BB4 but the boot has split a little bit - was picked up on last mot as an advisory. Also bear in mind how much corrosion is on the knuckle so for that reason id say go for the best condition used whole knuckle with good ball joint

vanzep wrote:. Also bear in mind how much corrosion is on the knuckle so for that reason id say go for the best condition used whole knuckle with good ball joint

Thanks. I tbink I'll do that and get a replacement boot if necessary

Got the bits I need from Ash.Z over the weekend. Ball joints are all in very good condition considering their age. Some of the boots are torn, but that's not an issue as boots are easy to get and replace.

Gonne be glad once I get the polybushing and 2WS conversion finally done