🔧 Accord - Ball Joint Replacement

Ball joints are the pivot points that let your suspension move while keeping the wheel aligned. On your Accord, the exact procedure changes a lot depending on whether you’re doing the front lower ball joint or a rear suspension ball joint/control arm.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 2-4 hours (per side)

I need 2 quick details before I give you the exact OEM-correct steps:

• 🔹 Are you replacing front ball joints or rear ball joints?
• 🔹 Are you replacing the ball joint by itself or the entire control arm (it sometimes comes as an assembly)?

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🔹 Do not work under the car supported only by a jack—use jack stands.
• 🔹 Ball joints can release suddenly when separated; keep hands/face clear of pinch points.
• 🔹 After any ball joint/control arm work, you should get a 4-wheel alignment to prevent tire wear and pulling.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• 1/2" drive breaker bar
• 1/2" drive torque wrench (20–200 ft-lbs range)
• Metric socket set (8mm–22mm)
• Metric wrench set (10mm–22mm)
• Pry bar (18")
• Ball joint separator (pickle fork) (specialty)
• Ball joint press kit (C-frame style) (specialty)
• Hammer (2 lb)
• Needle-nose pliers
• Wire brush
• Penetrating oil

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Ball joint - Qty: 1 (per side)
• Ball joint cotter pin - Qty: 1 (per side)
• Ball joint dust boot (if not included) - Qty: 1 (per side)
• Snap ring/retaining ring (if used, if not included) - Qty: 1 (per side)
• Control arm assembly (if replacing as an assembly) - Qty: 1 (per side)

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🔹 Park on level ground, put the transmission in 1st gear, and set the parking brake.
• 🔹 Chock the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• 🔹 Loosen the wheel lug nuts slightly before lifting the car.
• 🔹 Spray penetrating oil on the ball joint nut and pinch/through-bolts and let it soak for 10–15 minutes.
• 🔹 If you’ll use a ball joint press kit: it’s a big C-clamp tool that presses the joint in/out without hammering.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and secure the car

• Use a floor jack to lift at the front jacking point.
• Set the car onto jack stands at the proper support points.
• Remove the wheel using a 19mm socket and breaker bar.

Step 2: Inspect and identify the joint you’re replacing

• Use a flashlight (phone light is fine) and look for a torn rubber boot and leaking grease.
• Use needle-nose pliers to confirm if there’s a cotter pin through the ball joint stud nut.

Step 3: Stop here so I don’t give you the wrong procedure

• Reply with: Front or Rear, and Ball joint only or Control arm assembly.
• Once you answer, I’ll give you the exact step sequence, including the correct separation method (press-out vs arm replacement) and the correct tightening/torque points for reassembly.

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✅ After Repair

• 🔹 Get a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• 🔹 Test drive at low speed first and listen for clunks over bumps.
• 🔹 Recheck lug nut tightness after 25–50 miles using a torque wrench.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $350-$900 (parts + labor, per side depending on front/rear and press work)

DIY Cost: $40-$250 (parts only, depending on ball joint vs whole arm)

You Save: $200-$650 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2-4 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.