Ball joint question....

[TheYeti]

Ok, was lurking over on SELOC earlier today and I noticed that there is a website called tadts (got to laugh!) that sold the joints for about £13, which isn't bad at all. Problem is, my suspension has rattled pretty badly since I have had the car and I have put it down to "tadts". Now, I reckon this rattle is getting worse and I am beginning to think it is the ball joints as this seems to be the consensus of opinion that this is the most likely cause of the rattles (which doesn't stop, regarless of the size of the imperfection in the road!).

But, I don't have any "control" or have any experience of a double wishbone suspended car before, so I have no idea what sound I am listening for to see if the ball joints are going.

Does anyone have a description of the sound and more to the point, is there a "test" I can do to see if this really is the case? Cos if it is, I am going to try and rope my Dad (who is a retired mechanic) into helping me change mine as it is the only one slight niggle I have with my baby. If I can get the parts and change them for free (got a very good guide on how to do this off SELOC), then I am going to save a whole lot of money and have a lovely new car.....

And as a slight aside, what is the expected lifespan of the ball joints (miles) for an S1? Mine is coming up to 29K........can ball joint rattle be expected?

I know this is a lot of questions..........sorry

[S Works]

John, not sure what the definitive test is, but they do tend to go IIRC around the sort of mileage yours currently has.

[abz 7001]

I just had one go on an S2 after 27k, sounds about right I think if that helps. Stuart

[TheYeti]

S Works said:

John, not sure what the definitive test is, but they do tend to go IIRC around the sort of mileage yours currently has.

Bugger. Kinda what I thought. Hmmmmm.......I hope its the "rattle" that I can hear......if its anything else, I hope its not expensive!!!

Cheers Tim

[TheYeti]

abz 7001 said:

I just had one go on an S2 after 27k, sounds about right I think if that helps. Stuart

Blimey! You would have thought Lotus would have had that sorted on the S2's! Ok, sounds like it could be the ball joints on mine then.......

Boo hoo........

[Arno]

TheYeti said:

But, I don't have any "control" or have any experience of a double wishbone suspended car before, so I have no idea what sound I am listening for to see if the ball joints are going.

In my experience you don't really hear it when the balljoints are worn.

Replaced mine at 90K miles and one of the lower rear ones was utterly knackered and totally loose in it's socket.

I noticed it because it started to track a little oddly under different loads. Only noise it would make was (if you listened very carefully) some light popping/thumpimg noise over bumps.

Do the normal tests by jacking up the car and carefully put a pry-bar between the upright and the wishbone and see if there's any play in the balljoint if you apply some force.

Rattles are usually coming from somewhere else..

Bye, Arno.