Hey guys, it took me months and a lot of time and money figuring all this out. I have four leftover ball joints due to this. I am posting this as a reference hoping that it'll help someone out. That said, don't blame me if this doesn't work out for you. THIS IS A GUIDE FOR LOWER BALL JOINTS ONLY.
First off, the base Prelude only has 4 lower ball joints as opposed to the 6 lower ball joints the SH model has (2 extra for the front radius rods).
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Some ball joint info:
Honda TSB 99-039: Honda TSB for front lower ball joints for Preludes. This TSB was released along with a ball joint "kit" that includes two ball joints along with two axle nuts and a few cotter pins. This "kit" is very COST EFFECTIVE.
Part number: 04510-SL5-000
The ball joints in this kit, I found has the exact same dimensions as the 51220-SL5-013 ball joints. Comparison pictures below.
ALL 5th Gen Preludes have the same basic rear suspension sans rear sway bar and maybe other tidbits. That said: the rear ball joints I found are the exact same dimensions as the front lower.
2001 Prelude Base right rear knuckle:
52111-S30-C00 Part #6
2001 Prelude SH right rear knuckle:
52111-S30-C00 Part #6
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Honda part numbers:
97-01 Prelude base
Front lower ball joint:
04510-SL5-000 (comes with 2) or 2x 51220-SL5-013
Rear lower ball joint: THE SAME AS THE FRONT
04510-SL5-000 or 2x 51220-SL5-013
---DISCLAIMER: Honda does not sell the rear ball joint separate from the rear knuckle. Whatever reason this is, I don't know. I found that the ball joint pressed in just as snugly as the front ones. That said, they also didn't carry the front lower ball joint separate from the knuckle, yet they released the TSB.---
97-01 Prelude SH
Front lower ball joint:
04510-SL5-000 (again, comes with 2) or 2x 51220-SL5-013
Radius Rod ball joint:
51220-S30-N21 Part #4 ---ONLY HONDA WILL CARRY THIS PART--- I found absolutely no aftermarket replacement.
Rear lower ball joint:
04510-SL5-000 or 2x 51220-SL5-013
---SAME DISCLAIMER AS THE BASE---
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To sum up if you want to replace all of your lower ball joints for your Prelude with OEM parts, order:
Base: 2x 04510-SL5-000 (2x will come with 4 ball joints)
SH: 2x 04510-SL5-000 and 2x 51220-S30-N21
Castlenut part number: 90307-SL5-000 (4x for base, 6x for SH)
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Picture comparison of 04510-SL5-000 & 51220-SL5-013. They are the same. Which is which? Exactly (actually, I don't remember).
Happy Luding.
First off, the base Prelude only has 4 lower ball joints as opposed to the 6 lower ball joints the SH model has (2 extra for the front radius rods).
--------
Some ball joint info:
Honda TSB 99-039: Honda TSB for front lower ball joints for Preludes. This TSB was released along with a ball joint "kit" that includes two ball joints along with two axle nuts and a few cotter pins. This "kit" is very COST EFFECTIVE.
Part number: 04510-SL5-000
The ball joints in this kit, I found has the exact same dimensions as the 51220-SL5-013 ball joints. Comparison pictures below.
ALL 5th Gen Preludes have the same basic rear suspension sans rear sway bar and maybe other tidbits. That said: the rear ball joints I found are the exact same dimensions as the front lower.
2001 Prelude Base right rear knuckle:
52111-S30-C00 Part #6
2001 Prelude SH right rear knuckle:
52111-S30-C00 Part #6
-------
Honda part numbers:
97-01 Prelude base
Front lower ball joint:
04510-SL5-000 (comes with 2) or 2x 51220-SL5-013
Rear lower ball joint: THE SAME AS THE FRONT
04510-SL5-000 or 2x 51220-SL5-013
---DISCLAIMER: Honda does not sell the rear ball joint separate from the rear knuckle. Whatever reason this is, I don't know. I found that the ball joint pressed in just as snugly as the front ones. That said, they also didn't carry the front lower ball joint separate from the knuckle, yet they released the TSB.---
97-01 Prelude SH
Front lower ball joint:
04510-SL5-000 (again, comes with 2) or 2x 51220-SL5-013
Radius Rod ball joint:
51220-S30-N21 Part #4 ---ONLY HONDA WILL CARRY THIS PART--- I found absolutely no aftermarket replacement.
Rear lower ball joint:
04510-SL5-000 or 2x 51220-SL5-013
---SAME DISCLAIMER AS THE BASE---
-------
To sum up if you want to replace all of your lower ball joints for your Prelude with OEM parts, order:
Base: 2x 04510-SL5-000 (2x will come with 4 ball joints)
SH: 2x 04510-SL5-000 and 2x 51220-S30-N21
Castlenut part number: 90307-SL5-000 (4x for base, 6x for SH)
-------
Picture comparison of 04510-SL5-000 & 51220-SL5-013. They are the same. Which is which? Exactly (actually, I don't remember).
Happy Luding.