Split ball joint Broken axle?!?

[Blk94Tegi]

I have a friend with a 93 RS Integra, I have a 99 GS Integra. Well my friends car has a set of coil overs on it and 17" wheels on it. His car was lowered pretty far but it wasnt covering any part of the wheel. So one day we are going down the high way and he comes to a very quick stop. We look at his car and his ball joint is split in half and his axle is broken and hanging on the ground. The wheel is now barely connected and free to go wherever it wants for the most part. So the tow truck ends up having the tire push his entire fender up above his hood cause we cant get the car on the tow truck and control the wheel. Any how its fixed now. I'm wondering why it happened and now im very paranoid about simply getting a set of coil overs and bigger wheels. What could have caused this was it lowering or wheels or possibly any camber? What should I do in the way of lowering and wheels for my car but still avoid something like this from happening. Its the first time either of us have seen anything remotely like this before. Sorry its so long and thanks for everyone time!

[Dezoris]

First you inspect your upper and lower ball joints and the CV boots.
Make sure all your bushing are not worn away.

If you put an agressive shock spring combo on your car, what you can expect is faster harder wear of the components that dampen the other moving parts such as your, bushings and ball joints.

Assure that these parts are ok, and then install and align properly.

A massive drop will put more stress on cv joints, and boots.

[Ntegra Dryvr]

Will a camber kit prevent this from happening to my car as well?

What can I do to be 100% positive that something like this can be prevented when I choose to lower my car?

[Dezoris]

For the front the only thing a camber kit is going to to is correct your camber, and in most cases replace your upper ball joint.

As I said prevention and inspection is the best thing to do before lowering.

If you have worn suspension components or a over 80,000 miles really take a look at things before put on anything agressive.

If you just throw on some average shocks and lowering springs, you really have nothing to worry about.

If you are throwing on some agressive shocks/coilovers, and or race springs have your suspension looked at first.

If you want to avoid CV boot and joint issues later on dropping in excess of 4" is something to avoid.

The are usually the people who see problems and or people with worn parts.

[Ntegra Dryvr]

Well I was originally going to go with some Eibach sportline lowering springs but later decided that I would be screwed if I wasnt happy with their lowering height. So I decided to look at tokico coil overs. Are those a good choice? Are they more average or more race? I'm looking for something that will look good wont be hard on my car and will ride smoothly. Thanks alot for your help.

[Ntegra Dryvr]

(this is blk94tegi) Well this is odd. I have a friend with a 2000 GS Integra with 17's and the same set of coilovers that my other friend had. His axle broke and split his ball joint straight in half. Same result he was driving body slammed on wheel and flew off road, totalled the car. Now im extremly confused and scared as to what to do as for wheels and lowering on my car. His 2000 Integra had 19k miles on it It was extremly nice. What can I do to be 100% sure of this never happening to MY Integra. Thx for replies.

[Dezoris]

What you first need to understand is how your suspension is setup, the mechanics of it.

I would strongly recommend you either
1.)Get a manual
2.)Get under your car and look at every single part.

I did this to help you understand.

Look at it and look at them well.
Then get under your car and look.

Images are 50Kb a piece.











Now I hope that is clear enough.

The only parts that could break that would cause a dangerous condition are, the upper and lower ball joints or tire rod ends.

These are the most common wear items.

Check them, check the CV boots for leakage or cracks.

This is your main worries. Again like I said the more you slam over 4" the more stress is put on cv shafts.

The more agressive the shocks and springs the more beating your bushings and ball joints get.

[Ntegra Dryvr]

Thanks for all the pics and your patience. I believe I understand what your saying now that I have an idea of what your talking about. Is there any sort of after market item to reinforce your ball joints or any other part of suspension that would help from preventing. I don't plan on doing any aggressive lowering really. I'm also curious as to whether coil overs or springs are easier on your suspension and your car? And how do you feel about adjustable shocks or does none of this matter when it comes to things breaking. Thanks again for your help

[goonster]

Those pictures are awesome, thanks for the info.

What are the steps one should take if the boots are torn?

Right now in my civic (high mileage, stock everything), I have this clunking sound when my shocks travel (semi large bumps, but happens even when the car sways on uneven ground). Seems to only be coming from the front, and can be felt in the floor by my feet. If I get out and push on the fenders I can hear the clunking sound.

Sorry for sounding like a complete newbie here.



1990 Honda Civic Hatch with 260K KM's

[Dezoris]

If your suspension is in good shape and you are lowering your car from 1-2 inches with new shocks and springs and a good alignment no need to worry about issues in longevity. No need to worry about suspension parts breaking.

As far as the clunking goes, you may have blown shocks or worn bushings or ball joints. You need to physically look under the car at some of these parts and have someone put pressure on the car to isolate the problem.

I have seen some cars where sway bar endlinks snap and there is some movement in the bar or endlinks that bang on other suspension components.