Symptoms of worn lower ball joints

I've got a mechanic telling me that I may need to have the lower ball
joints on my '91 CRX replaced due to "loose" steering. What are the
symptoms? Excessive steering wheel play? I don't particularly feel
that the steering's that loose, but how much of an improvement could I
expect?

I think perhaps he's basing this and other suggested repairs (steering
fluid change, pcv, oil pan gasket) based solely on age/mileage ('91 with
104K mi.) and not true indicators of wear. For the past 11 years I've
owned this car I've had all manufactuter recommended maintenance done
without any other problems cropping up, so I feel it may be excessive.

 

On Mon, 5 Jul 2004 10:44:25 -0700, (Steve Pankow) wrote:

||I've got a mechanic telling me that I may need to have the lower ball
||joints on my '91 CRX replaced due to "loose" steering. What are the
||symptoms? Excessive steering wheel play? I don't particularly feel
||that the steering's that loose, but how much of an improvement could I
||expect?

I don't know that there are any overt syptoms. The ball jopint is not in the
steering linkage, which is where you feel looseness. It's the pivot point that
the steering linkage works against to move the wheel.
My '91 probably has the original BJs at 188K miles. Seem to be fine. There
are no lube fittings, it's permanently sealed so maintenance or lack therof is a
nonissue, as long as the boot is intact.
I'd check the FSM for specs and measuring instructions. You can download a
1988 CRX FSM, which will work for your car.
Texas Parts Guy

 

I had the lower joints replaced on my '93 Accord last year, as the right
joint had developed significant play. Before they were replaced, I didn't
notice any difference in handling, steering, etc, but every now and then
there was a very audible groan from that area when the car went over uneven
surfaces and especially when I steered left. The car had about 200,000km
(124,000 miles) on it at the time.

 

Symptoms: you'd feel a little play in the steering but not as much as with
bad tie-rod ball joints; you might feel a touch of steering wander on
longitudinal cracks in the road. To test, squat down near the wheel, grab
the top of the tire and heave back to see if you feel any play - also try
jacking the wheel up and grab the bottom and top of the tire and see if you
can rock the wheel. You should be able to distiguish between any wheel
bearing play and suspension play.

When ball-joints dry up they start to make a groaning sound with big
suspension movements which you'll usually only hear at low speeds - say in
a parking lot with uneven surface... manhole covers etc.

All the things mentioned are *possible* need-to-dos at your mileage and age
but unless you've looked yourself and can report condition it's hard to
help here. Check the PCV valve by, with the engine idling, clamping the
hose which goes to the manifold and listen for clicking - no click and it's
likely bad. On some models, replacement is a 2 minute job. Jack the car
up and look at the oil-pan gasket - at that age some seepage is normal and
don't be tempted to tighten any nuts up more than finger tight. Unless
you're using a lot of oil and there's an obvious leak, it's nothing to
worry about.

Rgds, George Macdonald

"Just because they're paranoid doesn't mean you're not psychotic" - Who, me??