Ball Joints, Good ones and Bad ones

[TT Tim]

Only thing I would add to this thread is that I've just looked at the old top joints that i took off my car and they are identical to the 'inferior' ones, so my money would be on TVR dipping into all sorts of parts bins, dependent upon who they were on stop with that week!

It's excellent, if there is a better quality alternative out there, I know what I'll be using in future.

Tim

[julian64]

Just for info, why is the one on the right the inferior one.

Reason is I'd be tempted looking at the casting to go with the one on the right as it looks a good deal tougher.

[jammy_basturd]

Just to drag this to the top again, does anyone know the thread of the lemforder lower ball joint? Tried an M12 nut, too small, and the M16 seems to be just too big.

[Tanguero]

jammy_basturd said:

Just to drag this to the top again, does anyone know the thread of the lemforder lower ball joint? Tried an M12 nut, too small, and the M16 seems to be just too big.

9/16

[ukkid35]

Wish I'd seen this thread sometime ago.

I've just had two lower ball joints fail (non-catastrophically) within 12 months of fitting new generic ones. Problem is a cursory search has failed to find new Lemforders. Anyone had more luck than me?

[ukkid35]

Managed to work it out now.

EuroCarParts #617630455
Lemforder Ball Joint (Front Axle; Front Left or Right Lower; Left and right; Lower)
Jaguar XJS 3.6 1984
£ 35.99

30% off today so now £25

[Rufus Roughcut]

Hi Paul, sorry I would have replied earlier except I'm on holiday with intermittent internet.
Yep, you are correct, they are off a Jag. Only thing to note iirc is the boot when left on the ball joint won't go through the hole in the mounting, I had to remove the boot first, no big deal.

[ukkid35]

Rufus Roughcut said:

Only thing to note iirc is the boot when left on the ball joint won't go through the hole in the mounting, I had to remove the boot first, no big deal.

Thanks Mark, I did damage one of the Delphis I fitted last year because the boot caught, but in the end I managed to fit the replacement without removing the boot first. It looked like refitting the boot afterwards would have been awkward to say the least.

[ukkid35]

For what it's worth the ball joint that has just failed is stamped FAI, although it came in either Delphi or QH packaging.

I fitted it about 16 months ago, it's done about 5k miles, but that was solely travel to track days, and the track days themselves.

[ukkid35]

For anyone looking for upper or lower front ball joints, they are back in stock at last at EuroCarParts

£30 each inc p&p once the current discount code is applied

Part numbers are

617880135

617630455