Right front upper control arm / ball joint i have a 1998 honda passport that needs a ball joint in staled. i also have a 1999 isuzo rodieo that i bought for parts would it be better to just repace the hole control arm than to remove the ball jount and the intall the ball joint? and need to know where to go for a digram on how to remove eather of the item let me know what you think

SOURCE: CV joint replacement

Generally no tool is required. If you use a "pickle fork" you will risk damaging the dust boot.

Have you tried whacking the spindle right near where the ball joint stud comes through? This will take a few good shots to break it loose.

Be careful not to hit the threads!

SOURCE: How to change upper control arm on 1996 Honda Civic DX ?

UPPER CONTROL ARM:

Do not disassemble the upper arm. If the ball joint or bushings are faulty, or the upper arm is damaged, the entire upper arm must be replaced.

1. Raise and support the vehicle safely.
2. Remove the front wheels. Support the lower control arm assembly with a floor jack.
3. Separate the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle using a ball joint separator tool.
4. Remove the self-locking nuts from the upper arm anchor bolts. Remove the upper arm from the vehicle.

1. Install the upper control arm assembly into the strut tower.
2. Connect the upper ball joint.
3. Install the front wheels and lower the vehicle.
4. With all four of the vehicle's wheels on the ground, torque the upper control arm nuts to 47 ft. lbs. (65 Nm). Torque the castle nut to 32 ft. lbs. (44 Nm); then, only tighten it enough to install a new cotter pin.
5. Tighten the wheel nuts to 80 ft. lbs. (110 Nm).
6. Check and adjust the vehicle's front end alignment.

1. Remove the lower control arm that is in need of new bushings.
   

1. Set up the control arm in a press.
2. Using a impact socket of the correct length and size, press out the old bushing.
3. Install the new bushing by slowly using the press to push it into the control arm.
4. WARNINGExcessive force could cause the bushing to bend or tear so be careful.
5. Once the bushing is properly seated in the control arm, remove the arm from the press and install it on the vehicle.

SOURCE: removing lower ball joint ball joint is removed to

Pull steering knuckle/bearing off axle

Jeffrey Turcotte

• 8991 Answers
• Posted on Mar 04, 2011

SOURCE: Is it easy to replace

Hi, the upper ball joints in this model are integral to the control arm. You have to replace the whole control arm to fix the joint. Procedure is pasted below. It is always advisable to realign the wheels after replacing front suspension parts, but if the play in the old joints was minimal, I wouldn't bother unless I had newer tires. And then any time I see abnormal tire wear, I get an alignment. Please let me know if you have more questions, and thanks for using FixYa.

REMOVAL & INSTALLATION

Fig. Installed view of the upper control arm with integral ball joint (strut removed for photo only)

Fig. Use needle-nose pliers to remove the cotter pin from the ball joint. Discard the cotter pin

Fig. Remove the castle nut with a wrench . . .

Fig. . . . then separate the upper ball joint with a suitable 2-jawed puller

Fig. You may have to move the engine mounted fuse box to gain access to the upper control arm bolts on the passenger side of the vehicle

Fig. Use a closed-end wrench to remove the upper control arm bolts . . .

Fig. . . . then remove the upper control arm
Do not disassemble the upper arm. If the ball joint or bushings are faulty, or the upper arm is damaged, the entire upper arm must be replaced.

1. Raise and support the vehicle safely.
2. Remove the front wheels. Support the lower control arm assembly with a floor jack.
3. Use needle-nose pliers to remove the cotter pin from the ball joint. Discard the cotter pin.
4. Remove the castle nut.
5. Separate the upper ball joint from the steering knuckle using a ball joint separator tool.
6. Remove the self-locking nuts from the upper arm anchor bolts. Remove the upper arm from the vehicle.

1. Install the upper control arm assembly into the strut tower.
2. Connect the upper ball joint.
3. Install the front wheels and lower the vehicle.
4. With all four of the vehicle's wheels on the ground, torque the upper control arm nuts to 47 ft. lbs. (65 Nm). Torque the castle nut to 32 ft. lbs. (44 Nm); then, only tighten it only enough to install a new cotter pin.
5. Tighten the wheel nuts to 80 ft. lbs. (108 Nm).
6. Check and adjust the vehicle's front end alignment.

SOURCE: torque on front ball joints 2000 Honda Passport 2

Lower ball joint specs:
Torque the ball joint-to-control arm nuts/bolts to 85 ft. lbs. (115 Nm). Torque the castellated nut to 108 ft. lbs. (147 Nm).

Upper ball joint specs:
Tighten the mounting bolts to 42 ft. lbs. (57 Nm) and the castellated nut to 72 ft. lbs. (96 Nm).