The shop where I take my Honda Accord told me I need to replace one of the ball joints. The vehicle has two per front wheel. Should I replace all of them?

Not a mechanic, but i've always replaced suspension parts in pairs. If one is worn, the odds are the other one needs replacing.
I would do all 4.

How many miles?

I would lean to do both sides. This assumes it’s needed, not just nice to do, likely. It also assumes you plan to keep the car for a while longer.

My sister has two older cars, 150k & 200k+ miles. I try to help as able, she’s weak on maintenance until she can’t ignore it any longer. That being the case, she’s always fretting about a relatively minor rust hole.

Do you have any signs/symptoms of problems with the constant velocity (CV) joints?
We had vibration under acceleration in our Odyssey. Had them replaced. About 2 years later same problem, replaced both sides. 4 months later—same symptoms. This time was pair under warranty.
Other problems can be leakage, or torn rubber covers.

If you don’t notice anything, consider getting a second opinion from a reputable mechanic. Also, based on my experience, get OEM parts.

The lower ball joint is replaceable. Replacing the upper ball joint means replacing the upper control arm.

If the ball joint needs to be replaced because water got into a crack or tear in the rubber boot and the rubber boots on the other ball joints are still good, then I’d just replace the one.

Thanks guys. Not that many miles 23000. The roads here are not that bad compared to other places I have lived. I will have to check to see what ball joint needs replacing.

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Thanks guys. Not that many miles 23000. The roads here are not that bad compared to other places I have lived. I will have to check to see what ball joint needs replacing.

Replacing ball joints at 23,000 on a Honda? That's odd. Unless you're on super rough roads or driving super crazy, this seems a little suspect.

quote:

Originally posted by Russ59:

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Thanks guys. Not that many miles 23000. The roads here are not that bad compared to other places I have lived. I will have to check to see what ball joint needs replacing.

Replacing ball joints at 23,000 on a Honda? That's odd. Unless you're on super rough roads or driving super crazy, this seems a little suspect.

That does seem soon, based on miles, but it's 9 years old. Climate depending, maybe dry rot?

I know back when I worked for a Honda dealer, compliance bushings were the nearly always recommended work.

Thanks for the help.

Perhaps a second opinion is in order...

I may do that when I have time. The female service person sent me a video of the ball joints which I had not seen at the point. It had a little circle to approve the work. Really? The male service manager explained that it could wait and what to listen for when repair is mandatory.

Took it to an independent shop. No repair needed and filter was fine. Some slight tears in the boot so check in six months. I now dislike the female service manager more than I did. Send me a video of the underside of my car and expect me to check the repair circle. Her pay must be tied to bogus repairs.

If the boot of one ball joint is cracked and she recommended that one ball joint be replaced that seems reasonable rather than bogus.

If they boots are dried and cracking or torn, replace them.
This is more of an age issue than mileage.

Thanks for the feedback.