suspension ball joints

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

geepeetee - 04 Sep 2003 19:38 GMT

Hi

While replacing a wheel bearing i noticed a little play in top and bottom
ball joints on both wheels. The MOT is coming up soon, can anyone tell me
if any play is acceptable when holding the wheel top and bottom.

Do the hubs need to be removed to replace the joints or can they be done on
the car?

thanks

Gary

Reply to this Message

DaveG - 04 Sep 2003 21:40 GMT

There shouldn't be any play in the ball joints. Once there's a little play,
you get a different force acting on the joint that can snap it worse case.

I usually remove the hub, and fit new ball joints with the hub clamped in a
vice.
I hate working on the ground.
Down side is you need to bleed the brakes.

Job can be done on the car though, down to personal preferance.

> Hi
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Gary

Reply to this Message

The Muffin Man - 04 Sep 2003 22:08 GMT

Cant you leave the calliper attached. I have a vague recollection of
leaving it attached the one time I had to do my ball joints two years
ago....

The Muffin Man

> There shouldn't be any play in the ball joints. Once there's a little play,
> you get a different force acting on the joint that can snap it worse case.
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> >
> > Gary

Reply to this Message

TurboJo - 05 Sep 2003 20:27 GMT

Yes you're right.

Tiewrap the caliper to the Track Control Arm to support it and keep it out
of the way.

> Cant you leave the calliper attached. I have a vague recollection of
> leaving it attached the one time I had to do my ball joints two years
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> > >
> > > Gary

Reply to this Message

k - 04 Sep 2003 22:59 GMT

> Hi
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> Gary

Hi,
The play can be adjusted by removing shims from under the big dome nut. The
job can be done on the floor without disturbing the brakes. If you want to
go this way I would advise go to your local Rover dealer and get a few
assorted shims before you start. They will only cost a few pence.

keith

Reply to this Message

geepeetee - 05 Sep 2003 16:22 GMT

Hi

Thanks for replies, will give it a go and post a progress report when i've
done

later

Gary

> > Hi
> >
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
> keith

Reply to this Message

Steve - 09 Sep 2003 17:22 GMT

> Hi,
> The play can be adjusted by removing shims from under the big dome nut. The
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> keith

Depends just how much wear there is. The ball tends to wear to a mushroom
shape. So if you remove shims from a badly worn joint it will no longer act
like a 'ball' joint. The flattened portion of the ball will not be allowed
to move. This will cause the pin to snap off. Not a fun experience.

I agree you can remove shims to a point, but given the low cost of
replacement ball joint kits, is it not safer just to swap them?

Signature

Rgds
Steve
steve@dsnclassics.co.uk
www.dsnclassics.co.uk

Reply to this Message