Upper control arms..

[mrlaidback]

are they difficult to install?

[batever]

I've never done it but I just replaced my right cv axle and took a look at the upper control arm while I was at it and I'd say "no", it's not going to be hard to replace. Just the usual issues with getting suspension fasteners off. If you have an air impact wrench or just a 4' long steel cheater bar and a couple breaker bars and sockets and wrenches, you'll be good to go.

[Sleeper00]

remover #2 10mm and #16 17mm then 2#14 on top 17mm, the whole arm will come out, just like that, very easy, on the passenger side u have to move the fues box to get to the #14, make sure u unplug the battery then remove couples wire at the fuse box and 3 10mm to move the box aside,

[TomQuick]

I'm assuming you are talking about the front upper arms, though the rears are pretty similar. On the fronts, jack up the car, remove the wheel. Pull the cotter pin out of the castle nut under the upper ball joint, and loosen, but don't completely remove the castle nut (the cotter pins can be a pain sometimes. Straighten out the long bent ends as much as possible, then use a pick, or small screw driver to get into the round end and pry the pin out a bit. If it is tight at that point, grab it with a pair of pliers, very close to the castle nut, then while holding your grip, twist the pliers to the side, prying the cotter pin against the castle nut. This should pull the pin out a bit. Release the grip, move the pliers back tight against the castle nut, and repeat until you've got the pin out). Since you're replacing the upper arm / ball joint, you can use a pickle fork and a BFH to separate the joint from the steering knuckle. Once the joint is separated, open the hood, and remove the two self locking nuts that hold the upper arm in (on passengers side, you will need to disconnect the battery, and move the fuse box aside to access the two nuts). With those nuts removed, finish removing the castle nut, and pull the arm out.

The service manual says to replace the self locking nuts with new ones (available from your Honda dealer, or through Majestic Honda online) when you change the upper arms. I don't know if reusing the old ones is going to cause your upper arms to fall off, but the new ones are cheap enough, so I got new ones. It might help to have an assistant for the next step. Push the upper mounting studs on the new arm through the holes in the chasis, and start the self locking nuts. Clean the mounting point on the steering knuckle (a quickie with a wire brush will do fine) and install the ball joint stud. Thread the castle nut on hand tight. Use a torque wrench to torque the self locking nuts to spec. Next, use the torque wrench to torque the castle nut to the LOWER of the two listed torque specs. Look to see if the hole for the cotter pin lines up with any of the key ways in the castle nut. If necessary, tighten the castle nut slightly to align the key way so you can install the cotter pin. NEVER LOOSEN THE CASTLE NUT TO ALIGN THE COTTER PIN! On the passengers side, reinstall the fuse box, and connect the battery.

Install the wheel, and lower the car. It isn't a terribly difficult job, separating the ball joint is probably the hardest part of the job, unless you don't have a helper, in which case getting those self locking nuts threaded onto the upper arm while you are trying to hold it in place can be a bear. Total time to do one side should be about an hour.

[bcjammerx]

uppers are CAKE!!!

make sure you tighten the bushings with the arm out...jack up the lower control arm to get the arm in the right position then tighten them down.

DO NOT tighten the bushings bolt with the arm down.


Now there is a little play in the top bolts...don't suppose I need to worry about it affecting my caster/camber? hell I need an alignment anyway

[93F22A6]

Should get an alinment anyways.

[mrlaidback]

I actually couldnt do them my self, had to take them into the shop to get them pressed out.

[TomQuick]

I'm a bit confused, if you are replacing the arm, what bushings are you pressing in / out, and torquing with the suspension loaded? Or, are you simply replacing the bushing on the arm? The ball joint is an integral part of the upper arm, and can't be replaced individually. In order to replace the joint, you replace the entire arm. If you're replacing the arm, there is no bushing that you need to tighten, just the two nuts that attach the upper arm to the chasis, and the ball joint stud.

[bcjammerx]

uhmmm...there is NOTHING to press on the upper control arm..look at that pic...there are two 17mm bolts on top and on on the ball joint.

Do NOT press the ball joint out replace the WHOLE arm. IF you do you better get a ball joint that bolts in. Last time I saw someone press one in the ball joint got owned.

you can replace the bushings by themselves...

dude what are you trying to do to your car? Clarify please.

[Sleeper00]

uppers are CAKE!!!

make sure you tighten the bushings with the arm out...jack up the lower control arm to get the arm in the right position then tighten them down.

DO NOT tighten the bushings bolt with the arm down.


Now there is a little play in the top bolts...don't suppose I need to worry about it affecting my caster/camber? hell I need an alignment anyway

he just want to replace upper control arms, y u have to confuse ppls, the job is very easy and i dont know y ur replys is making the job sooo hard and confuse

[bcjammerx]

he just want to replace upper control arms, y u have to confuse ppls, the job is very easy and i dont know y ur replys is making the job sooo hard and confuse

...you can't be serious...I JUST replaced my upper arms and my post detailed the EXACT way you put one back on...if my post confused you then do not work on your car...because you have no business attempting this easy repair.


allow me to say it again.

1. take off old arm
2. put old arm on
3. do not tighten bushing bolts (two 14mm bolts and two 14mm nuts)
4. tighten 2 17mm bolts which are accessed from under the hood, next to strut tower bolts.
5. place a jack under lower control arm, and jack it up until the suspension is "loaded"
6. NOW tighten the bushing bolts
7. get alignment

better? or should I also include how to put the wheel back on?

[CB7Jay1]

uhmmm...there is NOTHING to press on the upper control arm..look at that pic...there are two 17mm bolts on top and on on the ball joint.

Do NOT press the ball joint out replace the WHOLE arm. IF you do you better get a ball joint that bolts in. Last time I saw someone press one in the ball joint got owned.

you can replace the bushings by themselves...

dude what are you trying to do to your car? Clarify please.

I NEED HELP!!....So my bushings are bad on my upper control arm.Can i get just the bushings?

[Leung]

yes you can replace those bushings BUT how is your upper ball joint? if that's busted, it would be easier to replace the whole upper control arm.

[CB7Jay1]

yes you can replace those bushings BUT how is your upper ball joint? if that's busted, it would be easier to replace the whole upper control arm.

i got done a few hours ago, and i just replace the whole arm.The bj werent bad but the boot was showing some dry-rot. $60 cheapo that will last 10000 miles,im gona keep my warranty receipes for now on.

[Leung]

i ordered that that kit from TAS that replaces basically everything.

i returned the pickle fork to AZ to before i remembered i didn't replace the rear uppers. hee haw.