MOT advisories ball joint rubbers

[elbee]

Bongo passed MOT today, only advisories were slight blow from rear exhaust back box and slight cracking of ball joint rubbers.

Based on age and condition of the wishbones would I be better off getting a set of wishbones from club shop will ball joints already fitted?

How easy are they to change?

Any advice apreiciated.

[Northern Bongolow]

its your choice really, if they are cracking but still feel good at the joint, and they are not rusting through then this maybe a cheap easy fix.

non of the copy rubbers fit so dont bother, they need the special metal gripping band to hold em in place, like these.


http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 19#p562203

[elbee]

Many Thanks NB, how would I go about changing the rubbers, is it a difficult job? Do I need special tools? Etc.

[Northern Bongolow]

10 min job for a garage mate if your not that handy.

Jack up one side front. Remove wheel. Support with suitable axlestand and let hub hang but support lightly with a trolley jack
remove the split pin. Fully remove nut. Split the joint then with a fine flat screwdriver lift off rubber. Lubricate . Fit new rubber. Refit nut and fit new pin.

[elbee]

10 min job for a garage mate if your not that handy.

Jack up one side front. Remove wheel. Support with suitable axlestand and let hub hang but support lightly with a trolley jack
remove the split pin. Fully remove nut. Split the joint then with a fine flat screwdriver lift off rubber. Lubricate . Fit new rubber. Refit nut and fit new pin.

Ok sounds good NB, I think I could do that, I have a pretty comprehensive tool kit but no ball joint splitter any recommendations on which one to buy ......prob not going to use it much so lowest cost tool that will do the job really

[Northern Bongolow]

if you carry the bongo weight on an axle stand, then let the hub hang, remove the pin and nut totally BEFORE YOU LOOSEN THE JOINT OR THE JOINT WILL SPIN, jack up slightly on the hub, mind the disc doesnt come off, then strike the swivel casting where the ball joint goes through the casting, the lower wishbone will drop away under its own weight.

MAKE SURE THE BONGO IS ON A GOOD AXLE STAND AS YOUR UNDERNEATH IT PUSHING AND PULLING.

no splitter needed.

[elbee]

Great advice NB I'll order up those rubber boots from Mazda. Thanks again.