Bottom Ball Joints!!!!

[everitj]

Dunno if anyone can help with this one.. I currently have the wishbones off my car for sand blasting etc.. Howevere when I tried to order new ball joints from tvrgear thay said that the lower ones have been unavailable for months. Does anyone know where I can get hold of these or exactly what they are off so that I can get it back on the road.. TVR Dealer does not seem to have any either...

[Paul V]

I’ve been through loads of hassle trying to get mine, they’ve been on back order for about 6 months, I ended up buying another type and re drilling the holes, as I now have to old one to cut up I will make a template to make re-drilling the next one easier. Its not great but will do the job until the proper TVR ones are available.

[GreenV8S]

I believe they're off a Lada 1200, but I understand there are two different bolt patterns so you need to ensure you get an exact match.

[everitj]

I am told that the LADA ones are too big a diameter to fit into the wishbone.. Mind u that was from a Dealer.. He recons he has tried all different types with no luck....

[Paul V]

Yes the Lada ones are to big, the one I used fits into the wishbone but need the 2 of the holes opened up slightly and one re-drilled.

Are your old ones really bad? I rang the factory and they said at least 3 months until they had them, might yours be ok till then?

Austec were very helpful and might mod them for you if you ask.

[everitj]

Do u have the info from the ones that you used, if it's just a matter of opening up the holes I can do that... They are not too bad but thought I may as well change everything while it's all in bits....

[trefor]

I had a bottom ball joint done at my Chimaeras last service just before Christmas. Whatever car the part comes from Austec obtained it and replaced said part within the day or two the car was in for service. I suggest giving them a call.

[everitj]

Sorted, Just gave Austec a ring and he has bunged a couple in the post to me... He could be on to a winner as I rung 3 dealers all of which didn't know when they could get them.. How do tvr justify the non support of a car that in theory is still in production. I seem to remeber reading somwhere that over 10000 chims have been sold + all the grifs.. Is it me???

[Paul V]

It was a AP Lockheed number TC-203 although I got a QH part but cross referenced the number, 2 of the holes needed drilling out the other one need to be drilled in the new position, I did that by bolting the ball joint to the wishbone then running the drill through, you end up with a elongated hole in the ball joint but then just used a bigger washer.

[Paul V]

Do the ones they are selling need drilling or have they done that for you?

[Heliox]

everitj said:

How do tvr justify the non support of a car that in theory is still in production. I seem to remeber reading somwhere that over 10000 chims have been sold + all the grifs.. Is it me???

Bloody good question mate, how the hell they get away with this shambles of parts supply is beyond me and like you've said the cars are STILL in production.

Pathetic effort.

h

ps rant is because I need lower ball joints too.

[everitj]

Ones they supply fit so I take it they have a alternative supply and then they modify them to fit.. Wouldn't tell me where he got them from though.. But for £20 a pop might as well just get them so I can get back on the road... If the weather ever brightens up.....

[sps]

Hi All,
I've just had the same problem develop.
In for MOT failed on ball joints.
Has anyone got the number for Austec please?
Cheers
SPS

[k4trv]

Austec; www.austec.co.uk/

01293 531080

>> Edited by k4trv on Tuesday 8th June 22:06

[everitj]

Yep, had the same problem.. Austec do some. however I had to enlarge the holes in the ball joints to fit the wishbones.

[mickypee]

I ordered my balljoints last October from Peninsula,still waiting! They are specifically made for TVR according to TVR, personally I am unhappy about filling the holes to make them larger,not a very safe practice.There isn't that much metal there before you start,and removing more must significantly weaken it.After all the do hold the wheels on!!

[joospeed]

I thought I recalled jason at Pneoinsula telling me the other day they had bottom ball joints in stock now .. mifght be worth a call?
I too don't like the *filing holes* method on these .. they support the load at the corner of the car, and are on *top* of the whsihbone, so the three bolts are what carry the load .. *yikes*

[Paul V]

What I did was to cut the top off the old ball joint then clamp it over the bottom of the new ball joint to use as a template, I then drilled out the holes, if you do it this way it elongates the hole towards the centre of the ball joint so shouldn’t weaken it, I wouldn’t want to just enlarge the hole, as Mickypee says there isn’t much metal there as it is.

Peninsula did say they were expecting ball joints this week.

[hansdaal]

Hallo,

On a trip to England to buy parts for my wedge someone asked me about bottom Griffith and Chimaera bottom balljoints on the continent. After a long search I found a company who made me one as a "one off" just to try. I even went to the factory that made the original ones and even they didn't recognized the part. So that when the idea appeared to have them made.
It fitted perfectly. Holes aligned perfect.
I need to have a batch made and the price isn't set yet. It depends how many are made. I'am aming at 15 pounds each.
Is there interest out there.

Greetings

Hans from Holland.
[e-mail]

[sps]

HI All,
I phoned Austec as advised and got the parts within the week.
Took a flyer and phoned them after 6pm - surprised to get throught - seem to be a great bunch - polite and very helpful.
Got two just incase - total cost including delivery was £43!! EXCELLENT.
cheers
SPS