How to Replace a Ball Joint in a 1999 Honda CRV

The 1999 Honda CR-V base model was equipped with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual or automatic transmission. The suspension on your CR-V includes both an upper and a lower ball joint, but the process to replace either is the same. Because the steering knuckle has to be removed to complete this process, it is a good idea to replace both ball joints at the same time. When this process is complete, you will need to have a front end alignment performed at a local repair shop.

Instructions

Removal

1

Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the parking brake. Loosen the lug nuts for the wheel to be serviced, using the lug wrench. Lift the front of the vehicle into the air with the floor jack and place the jack stands under the front frame rails. Lower the floor jack until the vehicle rests securely on the jack stands. Remove the floor jack.

2

Remove the lug nuts and wheel from the vehicle. Instruct an assistant to sit in the vehicle and apply the brakes. Drive the small pointed chisel into the staked area of the axle to unstake the spindle nut. Loosen the spindle nut with the 3/4-inch breaker bar and 32-mm socket.

3

Remove the bolt holding the brake hose to the knuckle with the socket and ratchet. Remove the caliper mounting bolts with the socket and ratchet. Remove the caliper from the knuckle and hang it from the suspension with the mechanics wire.

4

Remove the rotor retaining screws with the Phillips screwdriver. Install 8 mm by 1.25 mm bolts into the two holes on the rotor and tighten them two turns at a time to push the brake rotor off the wheel hub. Remove the brake rotor from the vehicle.

5

Remove the speed sensor mounting bolts with the socket and ratchet, then remove the speed sensor from the steering knuckle. Skip this step if the vehicle is not equipped with anti-lock brakes.

6

Remove the tie-rod end cotter pin with pliers, then remove the tie rod end castle nut with the socket and ratchet. Separate the tie rod end from the steering knuckle, using a tie rod separator. Remove the cotter pin from the upper ball joint stud with pliers. Remove the upper ball joint castle nut, using a socket and ratchet.

7

Separate the upper ball joint from the upper suspension with the ball joint separator. Remove the spindle nut from the axle shaft. Remove the cotter pin from the lower ball joint stud with pliers. Remove the lower ball joint castle nut, using a socket and ratchet. Thread the castle nut back onto the lower ball joint stud until it sits flush with the ball joint stud. Separate the lower ball joint from the lower control arm, using the ball joint separator.

8

Grasp the steering knuckle firmly and slide it off of the CV shaft. Take the steering knuckle to the work bench.

9

Install the ball joint replacement tool and ball joint remover base over the ball joint. Press the ball joint out of the steering knuckle by tightening the vise. Repeat this step for the other ball joint.

Installation

10

Install the ball joint replacement tool and ball joint installer base over the ball joint and steering knuckle. Press the new ball joint into the steering knuckle by tightening the vise. Install the ball joint boot clip guide over the ball joint and install the set ring to the ball joint. Repeat this process for the other ball joint.

11

Spline the CV shaft to the steering knuckle and set the lower ball joint stud through the lower control arm. Install the lower ball joint castle nut by hand. Install the upper ball joint stud into the upper suspension arm and install the castle nut by hand. Install the spindle nut to the axle by hand. Tighten the upper ball joint castle nut to 29 to 35 foot-pounds. Tighten the lower ball joint castle nut to 36 to 43 foot-pounds. Install the new cotter pin through each ball joint stud and castle nut. Bend the cotter pin legs around the ball joint stud with pliers. If the valley in the castle nut doesnt line up with the stud hole, tighten the nut slightly with socket and ratchet until it is lined up.

12

Install the tie rod end stud into the steering knuckle. Tighten the tie rod end castle nut to 32 foot-pounds. Install the cotter pin through the tie rod end stud and castle nut. Bend the cotter pin legs around the stud and castle nut.

13

Install the speed sensor into place on the steering knuckle. Tighten the speed sensor and speed sensor wire bracket bolts to 7 foot-pounds. Slide the brake rotor over the wheel studs without dragging the rotor over the studs. Install the rotor mounting screws and tighten them with a Phillips screwdriver.

14

Slide the brake caliper and pads over the brake rotor and install the caliper mounting bolts. Tighten the caliper mounting bolts to 80 foot-pounds. Remove the mechanics wire from the suspension. Instruct your assistant to sit in the vehicle and apply the brakes. Tighten the spindle nut to 181 foot-pounds. Stake the spindle nut to the axle with the small chisel and hammer.

15

Install the wheel and tire to the vehicle and hand-ptighten the lug nuts. Raise the front of the vehicle off the jack stands and remove the floor jack. Lower the front of the vehicle to the ground. Tighten the front lug nuts to 80 foot-pounds.

16

Drive the vehicle to a local repair shop and have a front end alignment performed.