Lower Ball Joint replacement

[richie]

Hello All,

Just failed the dreaded Ministry of health on a worn lower ball joint, bah! I have a fortnight or so to get it done before the MOT I have runs out.
I would like to ask if anyone has found a compatible part for the ball joint, I was wondering if a transit or ranger or B3000 part might fit. I have seen the bongo ones for around £40 but wondered if there might be an alternative as transit ones are about 25 quid cheaper, and look similar in photos, not the best way to choose a part I know as it is necessary to be smack on for safetys sake, but I wondered about taking my engineering measuring kit to the local factors to compare other joints with my to-be-removed joint. Is it that easy to replace the ball joint in the arm? I thought of warming the arm up to remove and replace the ball joint, using the blowlamp. I have had a browse through previous posts but did not see alternative parts mentioned. Any advice gratefully received........ now where's the wheelbrace...
Hope you are all enjoying the summer nights out and about.


Richie

[richie]

Further to the Above, I've got the old one out with a bit of sweat and tears and a big hammer, just a bit difficult removing the castellated nut on the top of the ball joint, used a long tube over the spanner in the end as heat and hammer alone wouldnt shift it, and a long peice of 3" angle iron to lever off the taper as my splitter wasnt having none of it at all. Just proves how useful good leverage is. The old one then drifted out nicely with the hammer with the suspension leg tied forwards with a rope for a bit of working room . I am just waiting for the post man now with the new one, then the fun restarts. Couldnt get a match at the local factors. Worth a try though. Every thing i have ever undone on my bongo has needed some force except the fuel cap as that would never seize it is undone so regularly.....

[BongoMTBer]

I am following this with interest.

I looked at those lower ball joints as they are a lot cheaper than the whole wishbone. Is the joint just an interferance fit in the wishbone then?

[dandywarhol]

Worth having a close inspection of the wishbone condition though - one or two have had SERIOUS corrosion problems...............

[richie]

Yes it is an interference fit. I used a vernier calliper to measure the items, the hole in the wishbone is very slightly smaller than the ball joint. To get it apart I cut off the rubber boot and then carefully drifted out the joint by tapping different sides of the joint in sequence until it came free. It was not too difficult, did it on the car with the wishbone held firmly by a steel tube to the floor, to give a firm hitting support, as if it bounces when hitting you loose advantage over it. Still waiting for the postman......

I will let you know how I get on.
Rich

[richie]

Sorry all, forgot to say it all went back together easy, Used a large tube over the the top of the ball joint to hit the arm down onto the ball joint that was being supported by a metal block. Was simple enough to do, just make sure it is fully drifted home and correctly seated or it will not last long.

Richie

[BongoMTBer]

Cheers.

[BongoMTBer]

Richie, which lower joint did you use in the end?

Was it from Mazda or another manufacturer?

[richie]

I obtained my replacement joint from mazdabongoshop.co.uk , it was £45.75 including the vat and postage. It was an excellent fit. That was the cheapest I saw on the net.

[BongoMTBer]

Thanks Richie.