general question tail lites/ dash out

got a problem with 89 accord lxi that i just bought. dash lites have flickered off several times in last few days, but allways came back on. now they are out completely and so are tail lights. brake lites work so they must be on separate circuit. everything else electrical works including headlights.

Can't be fuse because fuses don't blow and then come back on. is there a connection somewhere that is a common problem with hondas and would cause the lights to go out?

also, can ball joints, upper control arms, and other front suspension items be fixed or replaced without requiring them to be take to shop and pressed in with hydraullic press?

thanks,