The lower ball joint on your Honda Civic serves as a steering linkage and steering knuckle pivot support. Although strong and efficient, ball joints require replacement from time to time. If this is the first ball joint replacement job on your Civic car, become familiar with the suspension of your particular model. Always work on one suspension at a time, leaving the other one for reference and, during installation, torque bolts as required by Honda.
Before raising the front wheel with the lower ball joint you are replacing, on the axle spindle nut, lift the lock tab from the groove using a drift punch. Then loosen the axle nut with an axle nut socket.
Once you lift and remove the wheel/tire assembly, remove the brake caliper. Make sure to tie the caliper to the coil spring or some other suitable component using a heavy wire. This will prevent damage to the hydraulic hose attached to the caliper. If your Civic model comes equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), you must detach the sensor and move it aside--but do not unplug the electrical connector. When ready, remove the brake rotor from the wheel assembly.
To disconnect the tie-rod end from the steering knuckle, use a tie-rod end removal tool. In most cases, you will not have to use a special tool to detach the upper and lower ball joints from the upper and lower control arms. However, if the ball joints seem stuck, use penetrating lubricant first. If that does not work, use a ball joint separator.
Once the steering knuckle is free, pull the steering knuckle/hub assembly from the axle spindle. If necessary, tap lightly on the spindle to release the knuckle from the hub splines.
The ball joint boot snap-ring can be pried off with a suitable tool. In most cases, the boot need not be replaced if it is in good condition. However, if the boot is worn it might be a good idea to do so at this point.
When ready, install a ball-joint removal/installer tool around the ball joint spindle and reinstall the ball-joint castle nut to hold the tool in place. Then set the steering knuckle with the ball joint tool installed and a ball-joint removal base tool on large vise. Use the vise and the ball-joint tools installed to press the ball joint off the steering knuckle.
Install the new ball joint using the same tools and procedure. Make sure to pack the inner boot with chassis grease before installing it. Use a boot clip guide tool to replace the snap ring.
