Upper Ball Joint problems

[hansdaal]

Thanks David
for measuring.
So 48.6 mm must fit all I presume.

greetings
hans.

[DarkMatter]

Shawbags said:

... when buying a complete set of new front ball joints, I decided to use RaceTech as they seem to have researched the problem. However, I wasn't expecting problems with the upper ones! I found that when I fitted them I had hardly any camber adjustment. upon measuring them against the originals I found that the machined edge finished short and the ball part of the joint was a larger diameter and this fouled the leading edge of the wishbone.

I had the same problem last year and was similarly disappointed. I bought the thinner spacers to position each side of the upper ball joint and was fairly sure that the steering didn't 'self centre' as well as it used to. I subsequently refitted the original 8mm spacer and ground a little off the wishbone to enable me to get the correct camber adjustment and this put the steering 'self centre' action back as it was originally.

[BIGMIKE1]

Ive got this problem to overcome myself at weekend, I also bought all new ball joints and track rod ends from Race tech direct, but Ive also got new wishbones from SC power. At some point in the past one of my old ones had been replaced with the larger ones, the same as my new ones and I hadn't really noticed or expected the upper ball joint to be a problem. I'm hoping to file/grind a bit of the ball joint so it will slide a bit further in, then fingers crossed for the 4 wheel alignment!

[Shawbags]

BIGMIKE1 said:

Ive got this problem to overcome myself at weekend, I also bought all new ball joints and track rod ends from Race tech direct, but Ive also got new wishbones from SC power. At some point in the past one of my old ones had been replaced with the larger ones, the same as my new ones and I hadn't really noticed or expected the upper ball joint to be a problem. I'm hoping to file/grind a bit of the ball joint so it will slide a bit further in, then fingers crossed for the 4 wheel alignment!

And there was me thinking I was the only idiot with my car in bits, not taking advantage of the sunshine! Tonight I've managed to finish off the front end reassembly, bled the brakes and torqued up the wheels - roll on tomorrow! Good luck with your job - it seems from earlier correspondents that it might not be an issue with replacement wishbones. let us know how you get on. David.

[BliarOut]

BIGMIKE1 said:

Ive got this problem to overcome myself at weekend, I also bought all new ball joints and track rod ends from Race tech direct, but Ive also got new wishbones from SC power. At some point in the past one of my old ones had been replaced with the larger ones, the same as my new ones and I hadn't really noticed or expected the upper ball joint to be a problem. I'm hoping to file/grind a bit of the ball joint so it will slide a bit further in, then fingers crossed for the 4 wheel alignment!

It's better and easier to dress the end of the wishbone, there's plenty of meat on them

[DarkMatter]

BliarOut said:

It's better and easier to dress the end of the wishbone

That sounds much more professional than my "I ground a bit off the end of the wishbone"

[BliarOut]

That's what comes of doing a five year apprenticeship... The result's exactly the same mind

[Shawbags]

I finished off the front suspension this morning and took the car out for it's first trip of the year. What a day to do it and what a difference new poly bushes, Nitron Shocks, ball joints, track rod ends, Leven drop links and a reconditioned rack make!! the camber was slightly out on one side so some small adjustments were made when i returned. A second brief exploration of it's new capabilities followed before driving back home to give it a well deserved clean up.

It was then that I noticed that the driver's door mirror seemed a bit loose. I thought it might be between it's spring-loaded adjustment points but no such luck; the more I touched it the looser it became. So, now to remove the driver's door card - ah the joys of TVR ownership............

[cjwbrown]

Hi

I was reading through this post and although I'm years late I am hoping someone's can help
I've a 97 griff 500 and the right hand top ball joint needs replacing
I'm in New Zealand and getting parts here takes forever. Is there a compatible part that would be readily available as an alternative. I read somewhere that it may have originally been from Saab
Any help and I'd be great full

[996Keef]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334612399247?mkcid=16&a...

According to this its a SAAB 900 balljoint , might help

[cjwbrown]

Thank you that does help
I’m told I can get those here
Chris

[cjwbrown]

Hi All for future reference if anyone needs a top front ball joint. They are from Saab originally
https://www.autodoc.co.uk/sidem/2049141
or Sidem 61082
I hope this helps anyone outside of Europe such as Australasia.
They fit perfectly , of course there is still the problem of getting the old ones out