V8 Lower front ball joint

[LamboV8S]

This could be a stupid question but I can't get the bottom ball joint to shift! the back one of the three bolts came out no problem but the front two won't budge? are they screwed into the wishbone body? they had nuts on the back. very, very, very rusty!! soaked it in parafin over the weekend still won't go! may have to get nasty with the angle grinder?

[phillpot]

LamboV8S said:

may have to get nasty with the angle grinder?

Think thats the answer

All three nuts should be separate, not part of the ball joint.

[Barkychoc]

There's 3 bolts which I guess you figured out, but the round body of the balljoint sits in a round hole on the wishbone - as it rusts and expands it then sits in there pretty tight.

Might be worth leaving it sat in some penetrating oil overnight in an aerosol can lid or something - then turn it upside down and belt the balljoint from underneath. I guess if you use a press you may risk bending the wishbone - what do you think?

I'll see if I can find a few clean Haynes style pics to add to this.

[LamboV8S]

Yes, I think it's just rust the screw holes look like clearance from the bottom, need to be more aggresive!!! all pretty solid though, will persist!

[Barkychoc]

Yes sorry read your question again - yes they are just clearance in the holes.
The nuts and bolts aren't precious but the wishbone is - I'd grind the buggers off if they won't shift and the nut is rounded.

Can't find much in the way of pics other than below.

[LamboV8S]

Thanks Chris, very helpful as ever.

Cheers

[Barkychoc]

WooOOOOOOOO!

Just had a look at your website

Have you got any Multi Axis CNC milling facilities?

A big want want want is aluminium indicator stalks for the S - you can get them for the Griff/Chim but they are Vauxhall based so don't fit the Ford based stuff on the S - but if you have guys sitting around waiting for work...

I guess it's the programming that takes the time - I manually programmed a CNC training lathe years ago to make some chess pieces - but I guess things have moved on a bit now and I'm showing my age

Edited to add these are the griff / chim ones

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HIGH-POLISHED-ALLOY-INDICATO...

the S has the horn push on the end of the stalk which makes life a bit more interesting.

Edited by Barkychoc on Tuesday 2nd November 19:19

[TJC46]

Barkychoc said:

Would you just look at the chipped paint on that steering arm I mean, some owners just dont care............ I know, i know im bored, ....i need some new project in bits in me garage.

[LamboV8S]

Sorry Chris we sub-con our machining and only have an old miller, lathe and tub grinder for adjustments.
You can download the picture of me on the website, put it on the mantle, scare the kids away from the fire!

Ray

[Gerald-TVR]

LamboV8S said:

but the front two won't budge?

BIG Hammer

[LamboV8S]

Stipped the other side wishbones and ball joints today, easy when you know how rough to be, top joint was a real tw*t, had to drill the bolts bellow the housing n knock it out, anyway both set of arms cleaned up rust converted and ready for paint! job done!
Oh, checked out the steering rack (recently new) and cleaned and painted it just needs new mounts ? polly or not??

[Gerald-TVR]

Chevette bushes fit and polyflex sell them (or used to) I went a step further and got alloy brackets from TJ Motorsport http://www.tjmotorsport.co.uk/products.php?cat=122...

[LamboV8S]

Have you noticed £47's worth of improvement?

[phillpot]

LamboV8S said:

Have you noticed £47's worth of improvement?

I've also got those, £147 of improvement I'd say !

Didn't know about the Polyflex at the time + my brackets were pretty cruddy + was a bit flush at the time (big dollop of overtime)

[Gerald-TVR]

LamboV8S said:

Have you noticed £47's worth of improvement?

Yep and they look pretty