How To Replace Ball Joints and Tie Rod Ends Honda Element/CRV

40 thoughts on “How To Replace Ball Joints and Tie Rod Ends Honda Element/CRV”

1. Get an air hammer, they’re great at removing things like ball joints

2. Don't hit on the nut, use the empty holes which are designed for doing this, just put the right size bolt and it will push it out.

3. Lets see that 454ss truck in the background.

4. more power …. eric the car gu

5. Torque wrench, please.

6. How is this part holding up? Reviews are not so great, wish I could just buy a Honda OEM ball joint…

7. Eric brilliant video, told to go and buy a complete control arm by my garage only to see your video showing that the ball joint is attached to the hub casting assy,you saved me a few quid there, you are very clear and great communication thro the video,thanks bud, Chris, worcestershire uk.

8. Hey man how did you install the new ball joint without changing the direction of the press? Like, what are you pressing on from the bottom to make the joint push in from the top?

9. Hey Eric what were the symptoms that lead to changing out the part? Always enjoy all your videos. If I have a rubbing sound in the front end when I turn left at a 45° angle will greasing any fitting help? Ever think of moving to San Diego? 🙂 great video 👍

10. Great video! Just wondering—why didn’t you change the inner tie rod as well? I’m having this dilemma with my 06 civic. The outer tie rods are shot, but I’m not confident to tackle the inners.

11. Thanks a bunch for the video!!

12. Just one thing……. thank you. In the middle of doing my 01 CR-V.

13. Could have removed that ball joint in 15 seconds with a hammer instead of removing the knuckle. A few whacks around where the ball joint presses in and a few more upward to the bottom of the stud pops these right out.

14. I left my speed sensor in too, not worth having to make a trip in for a new sensor.

15. I need to do the to my 2004 Element. Dealer wants $646 for both sides. You are absolutely right they don’t sell the ball joints by themselves. You need to buy the steering knuckle. Which do recommend for ball joints or should I just let the dealer install them. Local mechanic will charge me $75 per side and I supply the ball joints. Thanks

16. Would you recommend adding more grease to the non serviceable ball joint before you replace the boot and what type of grease would you recommend using?

17. Thank you so much Eric i always watch all your videos.

18. Hey Eric thanks for the excellent instruction as always. What aftermarket brands do you trust and use in your Hondas?

19. Hey Eric. My shifter on my 05 Element is loose. Any advice on how to fix that. It's an automatic transmission

20. i gotta get a new impact tool

21. This video was very helpful as I am having to replace the lower control arm, the strut assembly and some other things after my mother crashed her car into a curb. The axle nut is 36mm, and I got lucky and had no problem getting the abs sensor out of the knuckle. One issue that I had is that I did not "Unstake" the axle nut before I hit it with the impact wrench. It came off fine, but it must have buggered the axle threads, cause I didn't smash the crap out of the end of the axle while removing it from the knuckle. I was very careful to not pound away on the axle but the old axle nut (Which I would replace anyway), does not wanna go back on and I am not going to force it or cross thread it. I have no problem replacing the cv axle if need be and I am going to try and clean up the axle threads I have before I do go that route. The only thing that could gave buggered the threads is the "Unstaked" axle nut. Just an FYI for those that have to do this work.

22. Thank you so much, just what I needed. I appreciate you 🙂

23. Air chisel with a blunt tip on the collar will work those ball joints out on the car

24. Is there any way to screw up a ball joint install? If it’s seated correctly in the control arm and then you got bolt on and cotter pin in? Just wondering I did my first ball joint and I’m worrying for no reason. Just looking for peace of mind haha. It is pulling to the side I changed the ball joint on but I’m assuming an alignment is all it needs now?

    Replaced both front struts and left lower ball joint. Dodge Caliber 2007

25. HAVE WIFES MAZDA MPV AND BALL JOINT WENT BAD ( DRIFTING WHEELS) I HAVE BALL JOINT PRESS KIT BUT NOTICED THAT FROM FACTORY THE BALL JOINT COMES TACKED WELDED AND DONT KNOW WHY THE HECK ANYONE WOULD DESIGN IT THAT WAY ANYHOW TO BREAK THOSE WELDS YOU RECOMMEND ANYTHING BETTER THAN MY WAY WHICH IS GONNA HAVE TO GO OUT AND BUY A GRINDER AND CUT THE WELDS. ANYTHING BETTER THAN MY IDEA WOULD BE GREAT THANK YOU.

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27. Why are you changing the knuckle?

28. Hey Eric, I just installed some new upper control arms with new ball joints on my 2009 Ford Crown Vic. Once I put the ball joints into the knuckle and then tightened them down with the nut. I noticed that the boot of the ball joint kind of spun in a tightening motion as I was tightening it down, is that normal or OK

29. I appricate this video but I have a question. I have a 2006 CRV and when I follow the link for the ball joint and the tie rod end Amazon is saying that this part does not fit you car. Now the 2004 and 2006 CRV are exactly the same so do you think I should just buy these parts?

30. Hi thanks for the information, i'm wondering if astro Kit #7897 will install ball joint for Honda CRV 2006, i know Hondas will require special adapter for ball joints removal, does the astro 7897 set have the adapter? Thanks

31. I'm a very competent DIY mechanic. But fuck that. its going to a mechanic for this shit

32. I use a ratchet strap hanging down off the lower arm in a loop. Then I stand on the bottom of it to bring the arm down and out of the way.

33. Awesome Eric

34. Anybody else squinting while he gives a close up of the penetrating oil being sprayed? Don't want to get it in my eyes.

35. You go Eric you the man you inspire me to be a auto tech i hope i be like you 1 day 😊

36. Helpful video as ever. Thanks Eric! I thought the new one you installed is a "sealed" (non-greaseable) type, but the rubber cover is not completely sealed to the bolt, right?

37. Did the ball joint job in my one car garage yesterday. Couple of tips to add to the great video:
    1. If you don't have a lift, you have to get the car up really high on the jack-stands, in order to get the ball joint press to fit between the steering knuckle and floor of the garage (don't plan on getting an impact under there, you will have to wrench it and I recommend a large cresent wrench for a perfect fit on the press' rod).
    2. I couldn't get the castle nut on balljoint rod approach to work in order to remove the old ball joint. It kept slipping. Nor did the air-hammer approach work (by-itself, I did have success starting with a press and punching out with the air-hammer). Instead I put an deep impact socket over the ball-joint rod at the bottom. It was just barely long enough to hold the ball joint threaded rod also also fit onto the balljoint housing to push. With the shallow a-symmetrical receiving cup from the press kit I was able to get both ball-joints out on the first try.
    3. Putting the new ball joint in was straight forward as Eric shows. However keep in mind when you're not using an impact, you have to wrench this thing. And it takes hundreds of pounds of force on the wrench even when you have the press setup to apply equal pressure. In my one car garage- I was able to brace my back against a wall, put a foot against the hub to hold it steady, and pull as hard as I could. I don't know how I could have done it otherwise.
    4. Lastly, you have to press the balljoint in and turn that wrench until it literally will not turn anymore, even with a helper pipe on the end of the wrench, that's how you know its fully seated and the snap-ring will fit in its place.

38. I go to parts store and ask for a ball joint separator. One that pushes the joint apart without destroying the boots. Like the one I'm pointing at, but bigger. He rolls his eyes and says "you mean a pickle fork?"

    Moral of the story, some parts store guys don't know it all like they act they do.

39. Many people can fix cars well. Many people can make good instructional videos. But not many people can make good, accurate, complete, yet not-too-lengthy videos on how to perform car repair. I appreciate your dedicated work.

40. Hey Eric, don't you need a welder for this job? ….. Just busting your balls!

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