[skirmich]

Hello Folks...

Doing regular check up on the car I noticed my Driver side LBJ is leaking... Now... Am I nuts? or I am looking at a +400dll bill here to replace the entire Lower A-Arm???? There isn't a replacement LBJ for our 2G MDX???

 

[skirmich]

Nobody?

 

[TexasHonda]

If boot is still intact, a small loss of grease will be OK. However a damaged boot (crease usually ruptures) should be replaced asap to prevent damage to ball joint (BJ) mechanism.

You can replace the BJ boot w/o too much difficulty, but BJ must be separated which requires a special tool usually. You see all these videos on youtube of using a small sledgehammer to shock the BJ to release, but that has never worked for me.

good luck

 

[skirmich]

Thank you for the tip, Found the boot part number 51225-STX-A01 so I will try to fix the boot before spending big time on a new A-Arm.

 

[TexasHonda]

Threading the end rings on can be challenging, but I managed w/ 2 oring picks to spread and slip the rings into position.

The special tool is called a ball joint separator. Here is a typical tool kit. It is possible to buy a single tool also.

5pc Front End Service Tie Rod Ball Joint Separator Pitman Arm Puller Tool Kit | eBay

good luck

 

[skirmich]

I already got one of those kits, I never used that specific Push Type tool from the kit so Its going to see some use at last.

Thanks for the Feedback!

 

[qqzj]

Please take some pictures while doing this and show them to the rest of us. I have never replaced ball joint boots before. I thought when ball joints go, it is b/c the rubber has 'dried-up'. Anyway, looking forward to it.

 

[skirmich]

The rubber is in fact very brittle so it did rip apart because of drying up.
I need to grab the boot first, my local trip to the Honda dealership was useless it seems they do not manage that part for Honda Cars? so next is the Friendly Acura Stealership cuz I don´t want to order these things online.. They only cost 3 bucks, Shipping is going to be more expensive