Bad ball joints... how much longer?

[markj]

Two days ago, I lifted my car up and found that the front left upper ball joint had no grease in it, as the rubber was torn. It does not clunk, however. And just yesterday, the upper right side started to clunk over some larger bumps, so I parked, grabbed the top of the tire and rocked it back and forth, and sure enough, there is a ridiculous amount of play - and that's with the car on the ground...

I fear for my life now, no joke lol. My question is, I know that there are a million variables that could go into the life of a ball joint, but about how much longer do you think I might have before they ultimately fail? I don't want to end up like other Accords where they just go pop and then my life is flashing before my eyes, haha. The roads I drive on a daily basis are pretty much flat and clear, nothing harsh, and no potholes. My aunt says the ball joints were never replaced on that car since she bought it, and that was 214,500 miles ago..

I don't have the money on me right now to get new control arms/ball joints, but I'm definitely going to do them asap.

[YK86]

I would change the upper asap if you see that much play. For the one with torn boot, if you see no play, it'll eventually wear out but it'll be ok for a bit but again, I'd change it as soon as possible. Not worth risking a potentially big accident.

[thepowderblue]

If you dont have the time to change it not at least grease it.If it is still good you can get a boot kit and save alot.

[batever]

Well, if the balljoint/s are worn to that degree, not only is it/are they transferring the normal forces itis designed for but it's having to endure repeated impacts when the ball point pulls away from its socket-a recipe for total ball joint failure.

If you don't want your life flashing before your eyes, don't drive it. If you like to gamble, drive it.

2 new control arms cost about $400. Is your life worth $400 ? Try it from that perspective.

maybe sell one of your other 2 cars to raise the money for the new control arms if you are strapped for cash and don't have a credit card.

i don't know beyond that.

Good luck.

[thepowderblue]

What I am trying to say if it does not clunk then put a new boot on but it it clunks you have to change it.

[evil_demon_01]

There is a ridiculous amount of play - and that's with the car on the ground...

How much longer do you think I might have before they ultimately fail?

Less than 1 Mile.

Don't drive the car, Fix it now before they do fail.
Obviously they have been like this for quite a while, so you've had plenty of time to get them sorted.

[thepowderblue]

Its kinda funny because the upper ball joints on my SE are clunking
My dad also drives a cb7 his upper passenger ball joint was shot for the longest time. With it being bad mostly my mom put like 5k on the bad ball joint.
On my green ex the lower ball joint just snapped when I was pulling out of my driveway.It didn't clunk or anything it just broke.After that I had them all changed plus all of the control arms and tie rods.

[thepowderblue]

All I am saying is you might be able to drive on it but It could brake one day so drive at your own risk.But its a good ides so you are not going 70 one day and then your tire finds it way back where it should not be.That could do alot of damage, just look at earic the car guy's lower ball joint video.

[markj]

Well, I drove the car to and from school and around town for about 40 miles today, and to my surprise, the clunking is gone. But I'm not saying the ball joint is magically okay again.. I know it's now in silent but deadly mode; checked and the play is still the same. Called around a few parts stores and front upper control arms with ball joints are about $79, so I'm gonna pick them up at Pep Boys when I get my next pay check.

And geez, I know that the joints have probably been going bad for a while. I understand the risks of driving on bad suspension. I'm not ignorant of the condition of my car or how it is built and works, it's just that I am busy on a daily basis and never had a lot of time to look at the car in detail. The day I discovered the clunking and worn joints was the first time I'd driven the car in a few days. I don't always have access to my other two cars whenever I want, and most of the time, my Accord is my only means of transportation.

[Losiracer2]

I got mine at Autozone...I know they have shitty axles yada yada, but the suspension stuff isn't that bad. Cost me about 58 bucks each one. Lowers were 16.99, all have a lifetime warranty, so if the boot tears, then take it back and get a new one.

I've been checking it once a month since I installed them b/c of them being Autozone parts, but really, the rubber is pretty durable, I don't see any cracks or signs of it failing.

[bobbycos]

Its kinda funny because the upper ball joints on my SE are clunking
My dad also drives a cb7 his upper passenger ball joint was shot for the longest time. With it being bad mostly my mom put like 5k on the bad ball joint.
On my green ex the lower ball joint just snapped when I was pulling out of my driveway.It didn't clunk or anything it just broke.After that I had them all changed plus all of the control arms and tie rods.

wish i had a pic of the yellow cab that lost a ball joint on the Van Wyck Expwy at 70 mph. every corner of the cab was smashed in fron it spinning around and the three cars it took out were also toast


change the upper arms and lower ball joints now

[Cblove]

Well, if the balljoint/s are worn to that degree, not only is it/are they transferring the normal forces itis designed for but it's having to endure repeated impacts when the ball point pulls away from its socket-a recipe for total ball joint failure.

If you don't want your life flashing before your eyes, don't drive it. If you like to gamble, drive it.

2 new control arms cost about $400. Is your life worth $400 ? Try it from that perspective.

maybe sell one of your other 2 cars to raise the money for the new control arms if you are strapped for cash and don't have a credit card.

i don't know beyond that.

Good luck.

400 dollars? Where did you get that crazy number? 58 dollars a piece at autozone.

[thepowderblue]

You will probably see 400+ when you see all of the rubber in the front end is bad. Like I did.
I had to have like $600 worth or work done to my front end but my bro got it done for around 450. Its not uncommon to have to do to a car as old as ours.