2003 Honda Civic Front suspension components Help

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maverickfhs

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I believe you can't get OEM lower ball joints on its own, they come with the knuckle assembly. Also, IIRC the OEM stabilizer end links have been discontinued, at least in Canada. I used Sankei-555 for both. http://www.sankei-555.co.jp
 
Originally Posted By: silverrat
I believe you can't get OEM lower ball joints on its own, they come with the knuckle assembly. Also, IIRC the OEM stabilizer end links have been discontinued, at least in Canada. I used Sankei-555 for both. http://www.sankei-555.co.jp


Thank you, how did you like Sankei and how are they holding up? Plus, how much were they? I can still get OEM ones:

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Honda-Fro...s=51220-S5A-305
 
At that age and mileage , high quality aftermarket parts will serve you well. Avoid the budget brands and knock off parts , suspension components need to be high quality to ensure safety.
 
Originally Posted By: Thax
At that age and mileage , high quality aftermarket parts will serve you well. Avoid the budget brands and knock off parts , suspension components need to be high quality to ensure safety.


Thanks very much. Is moog better or doorman or beck arnley? OEM LCA are expensive!
 
Originally Posted By: maverickfhs
Originally Posted By: silverrat
I believe you can't get OEM lower ball joints on its own, they come with the knuckle assembly. Also, IIRC the OEM stabilizer end links have been discontinued, at least in Canada. I used Sankei-555 for both. http://www.sankei-555.co.jp


Thank you, how did you like Sankei and how are they holding up? Plus, how much were they? I can still get OEM ones:

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Honda-Fro...s=51220-S5A-305


The Sankei parts I used were Made in Japan and have held up well.

And I was mistaken about not getting the ball joint separate.

Honda Service Bulletin

The above document says they were only available with the knuckle at one point but changes were made. For all except the 3 door, d'oh! My luck!
 
Thanks DuckRyder, I can get OEM ones, very right.

Should I go OEM with lower ball joints and buy Moog LCAs and outer tie rods? What about sway bar links? OEM or beck arnley?
 
If you want to keep the car until the wheels fall off, Honda parts are the way to go. Don't know about LCAs, but OEM for the rest of those parts shouldn't cost much more than aftermarket.

One tip is to order through the Honda eStore and pick up at your local dealer. Prices are cheaper than just walking into the dealer and you don't get hosed on shipping like with online retailers.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: mclasser
If you want to keep the car until the wheels fall off, Honda parts are the way to go. Don't know about LCAs, but OEM for the rest of those parts shouldn't cost much more than aftermarket.


Well said, I am planning to drive this car till it can't anymore!

Let me price out everything, yes OEM prices do hurt a bit when compared with aftermarket but they last forever, usually!
 
Originally Posted By: mclasser

One tip is to order through the Honda eStore and pick up at your local dealer. Prices are cheaper than just walking into the dealer and you don't get hosed on shipping like with online retailers.


For some reason, local dealers in my area are a RIP off, even if I use estore ;(
 
If you are able to, you could buy the LCA bushings from Honda and just replace those instead of the entire arm. Just had my complaince bushings done this way instead of getting an aftermarket arm. Bushings were $20 each.
 
Originally Posted By: silverrat
If you are able to, you could buy the LCA bushings from Honda and just replace those instead of the entire arm. Just had my complaince bushings done this way instead of getting an aftermarket arm. Bushings were $20 each.


Yeah, I have though about it. Problem is, I don't have a press and have heard that press is almost needed to remove the old one and for pressing in the new one.
confused2.gif
 
Originally Posted By: maverickfhs
Originally Posted By: mclasser

One tip is to order through the Honda eStore and pick up at your local dealer. Prices are cheaper than just walking into the dealer and you don't get hosed on shipping like with online retailers.


For some reason, local dealers in my area are a RIP off, even if I use estore ;(


The online Honda vendors (who are Honda dealers) prices are very good. I'm restricted to ordering from a Canadian only due to licensing issues I think. No US online OEM Honda dealer will ship to me.
 
Frankly I've reached the point that I rarely mess with aftermarket stuff unless I can't get OE or can verify that the aftermarket part is either identical to OE or addresses a known deficiency.

I'd buy it all from Honda (I'd only replace the bushings in the arms if they needed it) if it was my car.

I did the lower joints on the Acura, it was a pain because they are larger than all the other Hondas and the commonly available "rental" tools don't work well, should be a snap on a Civic though.

Also, the ball joints came in a pair for the Acura much to the surprise of all (including the Acura Parts guy) might be worth checking.
 
Originally Posted By: DuckRyder
Frankly I've reached the point that I rarely mess with aftermarket stuff unless I can't get OE or can verify that the aftermarket part is either identical to OE or addresses a known deficiency.


DITTO and can't agree with you more. But price temptation is just ridiculous
07.gif


Quote:


I'd buy it all from Honda (I'd only replace the bushings in the arms if they needed it) if it was my car.


Are bushings easy to replace without the press?

Yeah Civic ones are a lot easier in terms of ball joints.
 
If you want to upgrade the LCAs, you can get the MOOG Problem Solver units, they're like a pillow block bushing. Rock solid, improves handling, should last forever no flexing rubber to crack). I put them into my Element, the ride at low speeds over small bumps was a little worse, but everything else was an improvement.

Great excuse to get a press! I got a cheapo 20 ton and it paid for itself in the first use.

http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/moog-k200799
 
Thanks very much, how much did you pay for the press and did you get it from Harbor freight? Have a link?
 
Originally Posted By: maverickfhs
Originally Posted By: Thax
At that age and mileage , high quality aftermarket parts will serve you well. Avoid the budget brands and knock off parts , suspension components need to be high quality to ensure safety.


Thanks very much. Is moog better or doorman or beck arnley? OEM LCA are expensive!


I would avoid Dorman . Beck/Arnley is good quality asian aftermarket stuff. Moog suspension parts are very good , many times improving on oe design flaws. Try to find out who made most of the OE parts in the first place. Many times you can just get the same parts from the manufacturer who the OE sourced from.
 
Originally Posted By: Thax
Originally Posted By: maverickfhs
Originally Posted By: Thax
At that age and mileage , high quality aftermarket parts will serve you well. Avoid the budget brands and knock off parts , suspension components need to be high quality to ensure safety.


Thanks very much. Is moog better or doorman or beck arnley? OEM LCA are expensive!


I would avoid Dorman . Beck/Arnley is good quality asian aftermarket stuff. Moog suspension parts are very good , many times improving on oe design flaws. Try to find out who made most of the OE parts in the first place. Many times you can just get the same parts from the manufacturer who the OE sourced from.


Thank you again. Unfortunately, I am not sure who made it at the first place. I am not considering doorman, dropped.

I was considering a Moog suspension kit from Rock auto, but have read on a few forums that lower ball joint of moog and outer tie rod can be a but tricky to install, have no clue!

So confused, dang
frown.gif
 
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