Suspension ball joint covers - how hard?

[frinkemon]

Hi All,

I just had a sad MOT fail with exhaust leak (easy fix), fuel system leak (should be OK once I find where the leak is) and a suspension ball joint cover that no longer prevents the ingress of dust and stuff.

There is also corrosion on the radiator brackets, no problem fixing this myself.

I've replaced cylinder head gaskets, fuel injectors, fuel pumps and filters etc, but never anything like suspension work.

Is fitting new dust covers a crazy job or can I lift the bongo up on some axel stands and fix it fairly easily?

Thanks,
Leigh

[Northern Bongolow]

you sound like you know one end of a spanner from another so it will be easy.

tips.

jack up on the body or under a cross member to let the suspension hang, but have a trolley jack under the disc to support the weight when needed.

fully remove the nut from the ball joint while the weight is on the ball joint, if you part remove the nut then the joint separates the whole joint will spin so the nut will not come off. if its stuck after the nut is removed dont buy a ball joint splitter it probably wont fit as they are large dia on a bongo, just smack the casting it passes through with a good sized hammer, then it will part under its own weight, catch it on a jack.

dont try to fit a generally available copy part as they dont grip or fit on the shaped seat on a bongo ball joint, use gen mazda dust covers only described in this link below.

http://igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/view ... =3&t=57070

[frinkemon]

Yup, twas an easy job, thanks for the advice, all worked well!

Found a fuel leak though (it's all over the place under there). Oh joy.