Suspension joint nearside lower dust cover split/missing

[konstantinos]

Hi there, the subject describes what my partner got from the MOT advisory letter. I cant find anything like it on the web so i assume it must be the lower ball joint. Can i just undo the torx bolt and pull down the ball joint to replace the rubber cover or do i need to work on the wishbone as well? As far as i know it requires a lot of effort to dismantle these parts. I am only trying to replace the rubber because the ball joint is riveted on the wishbone and i dont have the proper tool (angle grinder) and skill to remove the rivets. Any help would be very much appreciated.
Thank you for your time
Konstantinos

 

[Ian G]

Its probably integral to the ball joint so you'll need to renew the whole thing.

If the cover is missing and any dirt has gone in, its life will be shortened anyway so even if there's no evidence of play it won't hurt to change it.

 

[konstantinos]

Hi Ian and thanks for the promt reply . No, the cover is not missing, its just split and the joint looks clean! my question is actually if and how can i just drop the joint without having to dismantle the suspension (wishbone etc.) to replace the cover :?: :?: . Would you please be able to tell me the diameter of the ball joint shaft :?:
Most kind regards
Konstantinos

 

[Anonymous]

I've got two wishbones (with ball joints) sitting outside waiting for refurbishment and can give you this information:

The diameter of the shaft is around 16mm

The rubber 'boot' is held on with what appears to be almost like rubber bands, one top and one bottom. You can see the band on this one has started to come off:

 

[konstantinos]

:grin: Topmansparkie :grin: i like your location lol. Ok, thank you very much for the reply!! I am not trying to be obnoxious :roll: but my actual question is still not answered :wink: How can i drop the ball joint with as less effort as possible (or what is the easiest way of doing it???)

 

[YOG]

You'll also need the diameter where the bottom of the boot is held on.
If you're lucky, you just undo the ball-joint nut and it will pull/tap out. You will probably find that it is rusted in and a ball-joint removal tool will be useful.

 

[konstantinos]

Thank you YOG!! So back to you TOPMANSPARKIE lol with all the gratitude i can express!!!!Could you please let me know the diameter at the bottom of the boot? I am not lazy but the car is with the "missus" about 30ml away and it stays ther till weekend.
I must just state at this point how great i think forums are. And this one has helped me already more than any other forum in all the years i am posting/replying.
A credit to all of you guys!!!!

 

[quest63]

Is grinding the rivets off removing the ball joint and and fitting a new bolt on ball joint an option for you?

 

[YOG]

Not according to his first post:
".... because the ball joint is riveted on the wishbone and i dont have the proper tool (angle grinder) and skill to remove the rivets."

 

[Anonymous]

Is grinding the rivets off removing the ball joint and and fitting a new bolt on ball joint an option for you?

I've started to use an angle grinder to do the same.
After 20mins of grinding, I'd barely touched it. ScubaSteve has drilled them out but and he did say it wasn't easy, and I would say it would be even harder with then still attached to the car.

On the bottom, there is a recess which measures 34mm in diameter:

So, as you asked originally, yes you can remove the start/torx bolt. But, as I found when I replaced my wishbones, some of the parts could be quite hard to remove/separate.

I don't know what size the torx bolt is... it seems to be an odd size. Luckily, mine was rusted in so undoing the nut on the other side worked. I then had to use a masonry bolster and a mallet to get the bolt out.
Then, the next issue is getting the ball joint out. Again, I used the bolster and a mallet. I hammered the bolster in between the wishbone and whatever was above it (sorry, can't remember). Once it is out, you should be able to gently prize the wishbone down to gain access to the ball joint.

 

[konstantinos]

Hi guest63 and thanks for the answer but no!
Got ramps,axle stands,a wide array of hand tools but no angle grinder and dont know any1 how has 1. Appart from that, that tells me that -correct me if i'm wrong, i would have to take wishbones off to be able to grind the rivets off(?) I am not all that knowledgable on taking suspension apart, done it once on a ford escort, i will have to work on the car park outside the house(no driveway or private place to work) so my options are quite limited. ( i know it sounds long and tiring but thats all i got)
Thanks again

 

[Anonymous]

Have a browse through page 3 of ScubaSteve's 'Silver' project.

It will give you an idea of the layout of the wishbones:

http://www.projectpuma.com/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=7681&start=50

 

[konstantinos]

Yo sparkie my guru thanks again . I just hope i wont damage the ball joint by hammering it down. Using the common sense i got left, i would say the only thing that holds it up (after wheel is off and standing on axle stands) is the drive shaft(?)
By hammering on the ball joint will the drive shaft take some abuse?
Yes thank you, i have seen scubasteve's posts already,quite helpful!!
thank you all again

 

[Anonymous]

Well, after the abuse I gave mine when I changed my wishbones, I've done no damage. Just be a little sensible when you do it.
If you are sensible, you won't need to hammer the ball joint. After looking at ScubaSteve's pictures, the bolster I used went between the part the torx bolt (for the balljoint) goes through and the wishbone, so you shouldn't need to go 'near' the ball joint.

The suspension will stop the hub dropping down and the drive shaft will stop it pulling away from the car. I don't know if you will get any side movement as I can't remember.

 

[YOG]

I used a "Wedge" ball-joint seperator I already had, ruined the boot (not a problem in your case), but I was fitting new ball-joints anyway:

Ball Joint Seperator (Wedge)

• YOG
• Sep 17, 2012

A gentler way is with a "Pivot" seperator:

Ball Joint Seperator (Pivot)

• YOG
• Sep 17, 2012

You must have a hire-shop in Bedford (shire), or buy one from Halfords:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchCmd?srch=ball-joint+seperator&department=all&action=search&storeId=10001&catalogId=10151&langId=-1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[konstantinos]

Thanx YOG, i managed to find one that i can borrow from a friend of a friend of a friend lol. Sadly i got no picture taking machine because its a lot better to understand while looking at the pictures at the same time (stops you using grey matter trying to imagine things :lol: ).
Thank you all for an amazing experience!!! I am really chaffed with all the responses!!!
I will post the results once i've done it.

 

[Ginger Tom]

If you need a hand during the mornings or over the weeken give me a shout, I'm only about half hour away k:

 

[Anonymous]

If you need a hand during the mornings or over the weeken give me a shout, I'm only about half hour away k:

Same here!

 

[konstantinos]

Aaaaaaaah guys (topmansparkie+Ginger Tom) :grin: you make me feel weak (sentimentally) !!!! I cant thank you enough and in exchange i can offer DIY work at your place!!!! I can fit carpets, laminate floor, wallpapering, house electrics -not for you i assume, topmansparkie , plumbing, repair damaged plasterboard and many more for a plate of food and a pint of lager or any cold drink lol. Thank you thank you thank you!!!!
I see how i get on and i let you know. Just started working at Brogborough so Puma work weekend only :-( (MOT due 29/09/2012)

 

[konstantinos]

Apart from that i just found out :evil: from my gorgeous partner that the ball joint cover should be ok MOTwise as long as there is no play on the joint it self!!!! I can only check this weekend though because i work till 18:00 (home by 19:00ish) too late to start jacking car up and so!!