This procedure covers removal and replacement of the upper ball joint on the front suspension of a 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Upper ball joint assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Cotter pin × 1 — 3mm diameter x 35mm
• Upper control arm pinch bolt × 1 — 12mm replacement bolt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise front of vehicle and support on jack stands at proper jacking points
4. Remove front wheel on side being serviced
5. Spray penetrating oil on ball joint nut, pinch bolt, and control arm bolts if corrosion is present

Procedure

1. 1

   Access upper ball joint
   Locate the upper ball joint at the top of the steering knuckle where it connects to the upper control arm. The ball joint stud passes through the knuckle and is secured with a castle nut and cotter pin.
2. 2

   Remove cotter pin
   Straighten the cotter pin legs using pliers, then use a punch to drive the cotter pin out of the castle nut. Discard the old cotter pin as it cannot be reused.
   ℹ️A new cotter pin must be installed during reassembly.
3. 3

   Remove ball joint castle nut
   Using a 19mm socket, remove the castle nut from the upper ball joint stud. Do not fully remove the nut initially - loosen it but leave it threaded on a few turns to prevent sudden separation.
4. 4

   Separate ball joint from knuckle
   Use a ball joint separator tool or pickle fork to break the taper between the ball joint stud and the knuckle. Position the separator between the upper control arm and the top of the knuckle, then strike or turn to separate. Once the taper breaks, remove the castle nut completely.
   ⚠Do not strike the ball joint stud directly with a hammer as this can damage the threads or internal components.
5. 5

   Remove upper control arm pinch bolt
   Locate the horizontal pinch bolt that secures the ball joint to the upper control arm. Using a 14mm socket, remove this bolt completely. The ball joint housing is clamped into the control arm and will release once this bolt is removed.
   Torque spec

   Pinch Bolt58 Nm (43 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove old ball joint
   Pull the ball joint assembly away from the upper control arm. If the ball joint is seized in the control arm pinch clamp, carefully tap it with a hammer while supporting the control arm. Remove the ball joint from the vehicle.
   ℹ️Inspect the control arm pinch clamp area for cracks or damage. Replace the control arm if damage is found.
7. 7

   Prepare new ball joint
   Clean the control arm pinch clamp area with a wire brush to remove any corrosion or debris. Inspect the ball joint stud boot on the new ball joint for damage. Verify the new ball joint matches the old part.
8. 8

   Install new ball joint into control arm
   Insert the new ball joint housing into the upper control arm pinch clamp. Ensure the ball joint is fully seated and oriented correctly with the stud pointing downward toward the knuckle. Install the new pinch bolt finger-tight.
9. 9

   Connect ball joint to knuckle
   Guide the ball joint stud through the hole in the top of the steering knuckle. Thread the castle nut onto the stud by hand. Ensure the taper seats properly by tapping the top of the knuckle lightly if needed.
10. 10

    Torque pinch bolt
    Using a torque wrench and 14mm socket, torque the upper control arm pinch bolt to 58 Nm (43 lb-ft). This secures the ball joint into the control arm.
    Torque spec

    Pinch Bolt58 Nm (43 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Torque ball joint nut and install cotter pin
    Torque the castle nut to 97 Nm (71 lb-ft) using a 19mm socket. Align the castle nut slots with the hole in the ball joint stud by tightening further if needed - never loosen to align. Insert a new cotter pin through the stud and bend the legs to secure.
    ⚠Only tighten the castle nut to align cotter pin holes, never loosen. Maximum additional rotation is 60 degrees.
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut97 Nm (71 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall wheel
    Mount the wheel onto the hub and thread all lug nuts by hand. Torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to 129 Nm (95 lb-ft).
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Lower vehicle and final torque
    Lower the vehicle until the suspension is at normal ride height with vehicle weight on the wheels. If control arm bolts were disturbed during the procedure, torque them to 165 Nm (122 lb-ft) with the vehicle at ride height.
    ⚠Control arm bushings must be torqued with vehicle weight on suspension to prevent premature wear.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all fasteners are properly torqued according to specifications
2. Ensure cotter pin is properly installed and bent to prevent backing out
3. Confirm ball joint boot is not torn or damaged

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify no clunking noises from the suspension
• Turn steering lock-to-lock while stationary to confirm smooth operation
• Visually inspect the ball joint for proper installation and no separation
• Have alignment checked and adjusted as ball joint replacement can affect camber and caster settings

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