Focus ST ball joint size..
Discussion
Hi all, after a bit of investigation, it looks like the nearside front wishbone bushes are shot on my Focus ST! Ie plenty of play!
Looking to replace the whole arm instead of faffing about cutting out and replacing bushes, gonna keep standard rubber too for the timebiing as can't afford to polybush just yet!
will have to be done somepoint maybe next year when it's nicer weather out! 
Anyway looking online at whole complete wishbones with bushes, the only thing I'm confused about Is the ball joint size as they're either 18mm or 21mm? Which size would my early 2006 Focus ST be needing? I've read somewhere that the early mk2 focuses used 18mm until late 2006 where they were upgraded to 21mm taper size. So in theory my ST would need the 18mm taper size ball joint?
Can anyone clarify this or is it a case of trail and error?
Many thanks, Rik
Looking to replace the whole arm instead of faffing about cutting out and replacing bushes, gonna keep standard rubber too for the timebiing as can't afford to polybush just yet!
will have to be done somepoint maybe next year when it's nicer weather out! Anyway looking online at whole complete wishbones with bushes, the only thing I'm confused about Is the ball joint size as they're either 18mm or 21mm? Which size would my early 2006 Focus ST be needing? I've read somewhere that the early mk2 focuses used 18mm until late 2006 where they were upgraded to 21mm taper size. So in theory my ST would need the 18mm taper size ball joint?
Can anyone clarify this or is it a case of trail and error?
Many thanks, Rik
My 2007 ST I replaced the wishbones and it needed the larger balljointed ones. I bought a new pair and fitted them, with the thought of just poly bushing the rear bush only on the old ones and keeping them as spares. Remember to get the geo done afterwards as well. The front bushes don't wear, so don't need swapping out.Also, get some new bolts from Ford, they were only a tenner or so for the set.
RikST said:
Hi all, after a bit of investigation, it looks like the nearside front wishbone bushes are shot on my Focus ST! Ie plenty of play!
Looking to replace the whole arm instead of faffing about cutting out and replacing bushes, gonna keep standard rubber too for the timebiing as can't afford to polybush just yet! will have to be done somepoint maybe next year when it's nicer weather out!
Anyway looking online at whole complete wishbones with bushes, the only thing I'm confused about Is the ball joint size as they're either 18mm or 21mm? Which size would my early 2006 Focus ST be needing? I've read somewhere that the early mk2 focuses used 18mm until late 2006 where they were upgraded to 21mm taper size. So in theory my ST would need the 18mm taper size ball joint?
Can anyone clarify this or is it a case of trail and error?
Many thanks, Rik
When I bought my uprated Hardrace wishbones with hardened rubber bushes and other bits from this great company http://www.aandkmotorsport.com/web-shop/4576229108... I measured mine and they were 21mm on my 56reg 2007 registered ST Looking to replace the whole arm instead of faffing about cutting out and replacing bushes, gonna keep standard rubber too for the timebiing as can't afford to polybush just yet!
will have to be done somepoint maybe next year when it's nicer weather out! Anyway looking online at whole complete wishbones with bushes, the only thing I'm confused about Is the ball joint size as they're either 18mm or 21mm? Which size would my early 2006 Focus ST be needing? I've read somewhere that the early mk2 focuses used 18mm until late 2006 where they were upgraded to 21mm taper size. So in theory my ST would need the 18mm taper size ball joint?
Can anyone clarify this or is it a case of trail and error?
Many thanks, Rik
Andy at A&Kmotorsport told me it's highly likely if you have stone guards on the front brakes you'll have the 18mm if no stone guard its 21mm, which tallied up with mine when i measured them 
Btw you can buy just the big bush from A&K that is already in a mount http://www.aandkmotorsport.com/web-shop/4576229108... so it's just a few bolts to fit instead off burning / cutting the old ones out to fit polybushes etc
googleowl said:
When I bought my uprated Hardrace wishbones with hardened rubber bushes and other bits from this great company http://www.aandkmotorsport.com/web-shop/4576229108... I measured mine and they were 21mm on my 56reg 2007 registered ST Andy at A&Kmotorsport told me it's highly likely if you have stone guards on the front brakes you'll have the 18mm if no stone guard its 21mm, which tallied up with mine when i measured them
Btw you can buy just the big bush from A&K that is already in a mount http://www.aandkmotorsport.com/web-shop/4576229108... so it's just a few bolts to fit instead off burning / cutting the old ones out to fit polybushes etc
Thanks for the reply! Well in the end I have just replaced the large rear bush for the time being as front bush and ball joint were in actually quite good nick! Not a bad job to do and the car feels a lot better for it! Andy at A&Kmotorsport told me it's highly likely if you have stone guards on the front brakes you'll have the 18mm if no stone guard its 21mm, which tallied up with mine when i measured them Btw you can buy just the big bush from A&K that is already in a mount http://www.aandkmotorsport.com/web-shop/4576229108... so it's just a few bolts to fit instead off burning / cutting the old ones out to fit polybushes etc
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