upper control arm ball joints

[nrg3k]

hello,

Is there any reason to be concerned about upper ball joints that seem to show grease? and on that note, if they are toast for some reason, how hard would it be to replace them on aftermarket UCAs? specifically, hardrace.

I'll post pix 2nite..

DJM:>

[Maxi]

If grease is getting past the boot, then dirt can go the other way and damage the balljoint. The main thing to be concerned about is play in the balljoint itself. If it's clunking or showing excessive play, replace it. I've had to replace the UCA balljoint quite a few times on my S2 upper arms over the years. Replacement balljoints from S2 are easily sourced and relatively cheap (and their v2 bj's are stronger than their older ones). Not sure about Hardrace, but I'm sure they must sell replacement units too. Miles would know, since I think he deals with Kiwi (who sells Hardrace stuff in the States).

[nrg3k]

This one seems to have no play.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_yJtOQQ5XOPw/Svpfb9V3FmI/AAAAAAAACdA/GvViaZE5BCQ/s800/IMG_2019.JPG


This one makes clicks and moves.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_yJtOQQ5XOPw/Svpf1JYC2sI/AAAAAAAACdg/PYBIRK6BlYs/s800/IMG_2020.JPG

DJM:>

[LeeW]

pretty snazzy paint for upper control arms.. :)

I'd buy two new balljoints -- replace the busted one, and stash the other in my spares that i take to the track.

[nrg3k]

based on that, i assume these upper ball joints are standard - not something unique to this control arm? if that is the case, i suppose $45 each is a good price for peace of mind ;) I'll do this before i reinstall the UCAs. Thanks!

DJM:>

[Maxi]

With the S2 ball joints, I can hear them starting to clunk a bit (when going over sharp/harsh bumps...so it's a vertical movement of the suspension that was showing play in these bj's) and that's when I replace them. With the amount of track abuse your car took this year, I'm not surprise to see the amount of wear & tear on your Hardrace ones. I'd replace them both and stock a spare set. You need to consider these wear items on a race car. When you dial in a lot of negative camber, the angle these bj's are asked to operate at seems to really accelerate their wear.

I see on your Hardrace arms the ball joints appear to be clipped into the baseplate, so you may be able to swap in a fresh set of Honda bj's. I'm really not too sure on that.

[nrg3k]

ya, this sounds about right. The movement was up/down, and very obvious on the one side. There seems to be a tendency for more right-turns on the tracks i've been on, so perhaps this has resulted in faster wear on that side of the car? either way, i am very happy with the hardrace product overall and am happy to say the camber plate bolts did not back off at all, and the arm did not hurt the body of the car much (if at all) based on inspection after the arms were removed.

I'll see if i can remove the BJ from the control arm 2nite, and compare with some OE ones i have around.

thanks again!

DJM:>

[MilesM]

Those don't look anywhere near as ghey as the S2 ones. Ours backed off twice this season. :( We felt that in the braking zones when you loose half the tire patch on one side.

[Maxi]

Those don't look anywhere near as ghey as the S2 ones. Ours backed off twice this season. :( We felt that in the braking zones when you loose half the tire patch on one side.

Huh. I've been running the S2 UCA's for about a decade now and haven't had them come loose even once. Having Moose tighten them down for me might be the reason ;)

[Boostgod]

I have an extra set of S2 ones that i got form wes. I'd pass em up for what I paid for em. $50. Not sure if they fit the hardrace Arms tho...

[AAC]

My S2 uca bj's have been great over the years. Never worn out and never slipped, but then I snug them every couple weekends just as a preventative measure.

[nrg3k]

I talked to Kiwi @ special projects (distro for HardRace) and he said the BJs are specific to HardRace products. so i've ordered a set :) Will see when they get here... couldn't resist ordering a set of rear LCAs with spherical bushings well.. DAMN THIS ADDICTIVE HOBBY.

DJM:>