Civic front end popping

"Catfish" wrote in news: snipped-for-privacy@corp.supernews.com:

Lower ball joint is the first suspect. You don't want that puppy to break while you are on the move.

Get your not-very-good mechanic to pop the balljoint taper so he can wiggle it by hand. Should be very obvious if there's a problem.

As TeGGeR says, check the lower ball joint. When you described it that was my immediate thought. TeGGeR also has shared his personal experiences at

... if you don't want that sort of experience you should have the ball joints checked Real Soon Now.

One day I was leaving work and found a Caddy sitting lop-sided in the street with traffic cones around it. I asked the security guard about it - he told me the driver was making a u-turn when it happened. He had looked under the car and found the ball joint had broken, so he asked her, "Didn't the car drive kinda funny, maybe shaking [he shook his body] when you went over railroad tracks?" She said, "Yeah! Just like that!"

Mike

I'm still riding around on the original lower balljoints on my '88 Accord(w/

241,000 miles) as they've never shown any signs of wear whenever I've replaced the dust boots,etc. I'm always amazed but it's true.

I DID have to replace the upper arm/balljoint on each side though. The balljoints were worn and the popping sound was getting worse. I've also replaced the upper arm/balljoints in the rear of the vehicle.

I appreciate the info guys! I am going to attempt to check this out myself. I just borrowed a C Clamp looking tool from Autozone to help remove the ball joint. If there is anything else or helpful pointers I need to know, please pass on.

Again thank you, Catfish