Lower balljoints - standard or modified?

Lower balljoints - standard or modified?

Author
Discussion

Kitchski

Original Poster:

6,515 posts

231 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
quotequote all
Quick query - has anyone actually had a standard balljoint (the Fiat one) fail on their car? Or know of an incident where it failed?

I fit balljoints on customers' cars all the time, but I always opt for the modified type from Racetech. They do have increased movement through the side to side axis over the standard joints, and obviously with a paying job it's just belt and braces. They're not cheap, but I'd rather not take a chance.

However, I'm currently putting my own S1 back together, and I've got some of the Fiat ones under my desk. I'm debating on fitting them, firstly because I have a slight feeling that the modified ones are more important on the Chim/Griff models, and secondly because I'd like to answer the issue on the S. It's my own car, afterall (and they're a damn sight cheaper than the modified ones!) That said, I don't want to skrimp in the name of saving a few quid - I'm trying to establish whether the S actually needs the modified ones.

So, anyone?

phillpot

17,115 posts

183 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
quotequote all


Done a mile or two now on standard "Firstline" fiat joints, no problems.......yet !

Kitchski

Original Poster:

6,515 posts

231 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
quotequote all
1 or 2 miles? Sounds good! laugh

Stwdv

273 posts

124 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
quotequote all
When I put mine together without any shocks on and tried to exercise the joint in any suspension position and I couldn't bottom the joint out. With the shocks on it would be even more restricted movement ?

Blue 30

519 posts

117 months

Thursday 21st August 2014
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Hi all...

For us new to'S' guys... I have worked out my 1990 S3 290 has the Saab upper swivel joints (I think).
So what Fiat model do the lower ones come from then ?
(2015 rebuild pending, incl body off, welding new outrigger tubes etc etc).
Cheers. Terry B.

phillpot

17,115 posts

183 months

Friday 22nd August 2014
quotequote all
Blue 30 said:
So what Fiat model do the lower ones come from then ?
Start readingwink

Alan Whitaker

2,054 posts

182 months

Friday 22nd August 2014
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Hi All.
I got the Lemforder ones, today I was setting up the steering and looking at any bump steer, I found the normal Lemforder joints were ok, I jacked the knuckle up to full bump and rebound and the joints were not stressed, In fact I could go much higher and lower than the suspension would allow with no binding of the joints.
Not sure what the modified joints are or who makes them

Alan