phokus

Hey guys,

your advice/help would be most appreciated. I am cynical when it comes to mechanics. I went to a mechanic recently to have my cv boot changed and was told that I needed to change my upper ball joints and shock cushings. Because this mechanic (which shall remain unamed for now) has a good rep I took his word for it and had my cv boot fixed and my upper ball joints replaced.

1 1/2 weeks later my car is making an awful squeeking noise on the front driver side by the front wheel. When ever I turn my steering wheel or even push my car down on the front side there is this awful squeeking noise.

I went back to the mechanic and he told me that now I need to replace my lower ball joints and that is where the problem is.

so my question is:
a) is this noise a result of their replacement of my ball joints and shock cushings?

b) does it sound like I need to change my lower ball joints.

I have had absolutly no problems until I had my upper ball joints and shock cushings replaced - is this squeeking noise just a coincidence 1 1/2 weeks later.

any help you guys can provide would be very much appreciated.

thanks!

shlammed

if u mean BUSHINGS maybe he didn't lube them good enough...anyways dont ever just go to one mechanic and get somethings fixed, always get a second or third opinion no matter who it is or what there reputation.

phokus

yeah i know i think im learning what the saying "buyer beware" means. thanks for the advice - im hoping they are just the bushings and if so how would i go abouts lubricating them?

your advice is most appreciated.

Dagi

imported_echien

You have to lube them when installing them.

That's why I either do it myself or watch someone do it.

I don't feel right just leaving the car there and taking someone's word for it.

Also anytime you get work like this done, ask for the old part back.

When you see the part, ask what's wrong with it.

shlammed

if they are honda bushings good like getting them out...they are pressed in and have to be pressed out. You can get polyurethane bushings from energy suspension and they are easy to install once you get the honda bushings out. Some people on this board don't believe in them but I've never had a problem with them and you can get a whole kit for the price of 2 honda bushings. (by whole kit i dont mean the master kit i mean like lower control arm kit etc).

blk93si

1 1/2 weeks later my car is making an awful squeeking noise on the front driver side by the front wheel. When ever I turn my steering wheel or even push my car down on the front side there is this awful squeeking noise.


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I AM 99% sure its a dry ball joint

either upper or lower , most likely lower

Good luck

imported_loudsubz

you dont need a press to get out old honda bushings, all you need is a torch and a hammer or air chisel will work wonders.

takes like 10 min to do when you get the hang of it.

ive heard conflicting opionions about the bushings, some say there very hard and not very nice for everyday driving.

and also the master kit for the engine mounts ive heard make your car vibrate alot and are way too stiff, once again this is what i have read.

phokus

so, you are almost positive its the lower ball joints. when they are dry do they make this noise. im just trying to make sure so i dont have to replace them if i dont have to and save a few bucks. do you think this noise is a result of the bushings not being lubed properly - this noise sounds kind of rubbery/squeeking when im pushing the front end down or turning the steering wheel.

imported_echien

Could also be rusted suspension bolts. If the guy who put the suspension back together didn't use anti-siese, it's quite possible water might have got in there and start to make it squeek.

Then again maybe not that quickly after.

I had suspension bolts that were all rusted and they squeeked like hell.

I think the bolts will squeek if you push up and down on the corner, it's the ball joint if it happens when you turn the wheel back and forth.