Ball Joint Mounting Blocks
Discussion
Some of you , but perhaps not all, are aware that in some early M400s (and possibly late 3Rs) the top front balljoint mounting block can crack across a grub screw hole, thus allowing the the ball joint to come loose.
A consequence of this is that the front wheel can collapse. This is precisely what happened to AdrianW's car - fortunately only going at about 5mph and on the way to a service centre, and no real damage was done. In response to this a Technical Bulletin was sent by Noble to their Dealers and Service Centres to inspect for cracks at service and replace (FOC) if any signs of cracking were noticed. So, well done Noble. In my own case - my car went in for it's 18K service at 16K and both mounts were cracked -one badly; the second with hairline. Would the badly cracked one have lasted another 2K miles? I don't know, but all replaced without fuss or charge. The replacement mounts are solid with no grub screw hole (as on earlier and later models AFAIK))
However, not all people use Noble Service Centres and so for anyone out there who has any doubts at all, my advice would be to get your up-right mounts checked pdq by a Noble Service Centre
A consequence of this is that the front wheel can collapse. This is precisely what happened to AdrianW's car - fortunately only going at about 5mph and on the way to a service centre, and no real damage was done. In response to this a Technical Bulletin was sent by Noble to their Dealers and Service Centres to inspect for cracks at service and replace (FOC) if any signs of cracking were noticed. So, well done Noble. In my own case - my car went in for it's 18K service at 16K and both mounts were cracked -one badly; the second with hairline. Would the badly cracked one have lasted another 2K miles? I don't know, but all replaced without fuss or charge. The replacement mounts are solid with no grub screw hole (as on earlier and later models AFAIK))
However, not all people use Noble Service Centres and so for anyone out there who has any doubts at all, my advice would be to get your up-right mounts checked pdq by a Noble Service Centre
Lee Noble personaly promised to get all cars checked and any blocks of this type replaced free of charge, he also claimed that this part was not designed by him and when he found out about it he had the part changed, he also claimed that he had no knowlidge of the badly designed part untill my one failed.
If he kept his promise i would expect all cars affected to have been checked by now as part of there duty of care toward there customers.
If he kept his promise i would expect all cars affected to have been checked by now as part of there duty of care toward there customers.
adrian w said:
Lee Noble personaly promised to get all cars checked and any blocks of this type replaced free of charge, he also claimed that this part was not designed by him and when he found out about it he had the part changed, he also claimed that he had no knowlidge of the badly designed part untill my one failed.
If he kept his promise i would expect all cars affected to have been checked by now as part of there duty of care toward there customers.
If he kept his promise i would expect all cars affected to have been checked by now as part of there duty of care toward there customers.
That's interesting to hear. My car is at Roush this week and it was pointed out to me by them that my M400 ball joint blocks were the old type. This was not noticed by the factory when the car was in for a 12k mile service in July 06. I wasn't aware that the replacement was going to be free of charge. I've just been billed for 5 hours labour to have the work done. Trevor said the parts are free of charge but not the labour. Should I be charging the factory for this labour then, on the basis that this is a mandatory recall with the labour performed by an approved Noble service centre? I'm a little bit miffed now as I really could put the £375 + VAT towards some more meaningful upgrades
alex_123_fra said:
adrian w said:
Lee Noble personaly promised to get all cars checked and any blocks of this type replaced free of charge, he also claimed that this part was not designed by him and when he found out about it he had the part changed, he also claimed that he had no knowlidge of the badly designed part untill my one failed.
If he kept his promise i would expect all cars affected to have been checked by now as part of there duty of care toward there customers.
If he kept his promise i would expect all cars affected to have been checked by now as part of there duty of care toward there customers.
That's interesting to hear. My car is at Roush this week and it was pointed out to me by them that my M400 ball joint blocks were the old type. This was not noticed by the factory when the car was in for a 12k mile service in July 06. I wasn't aware that the replacement was going to be free of charge. I've just been billed for 5 hours labour to have the work done. Trevor said the parts are free of charge but not the labour. Should I be charging the factory for this labour then, on the basis that this is a mandatory recall with the labour performed by an approved Noble service centre? I'm a little bit miffed now as I really could put the £375 + VAT towards some more meaningful upgrades
Yes, send the bill to Noble, he promised to sort it out.
robp said:
Some of you , but perhaps not all, are aware that in some early M400s (and possibly late 3Rs) the top front balljoint mounting block can crack across a grub screw hole, thus allowing the the ball joint to come loose.
A consequence of this is that the front wheel can collapse. This is precisely what happened to AdrianW's car - fortunately only going at about 5mph and on the way to a service centre, and no real damage was done. In response to this a Technical Bulletin was sent by Noble to their Dealers and Service Centres to inspect for cracks at service and replace (FOC) if any signs of cracking were noticed. So, well done Noble. In my own case - my car went in for it's 18K service at 16K and both mounts were cracked -one badly; the second with hairline. Would the badly cracked one have lasted another 2K miles? I don't know, but all replaced without fuss or charge. The replacement mounts are solid with no grub screw hole (as on earlier and later models AFAIK))
However, not all people use Noble Service Centres and so for anyone out there who has any doubts at all, my advice would be to get your up-right mounts checked pdq by a Noble Service Centre
A consequence of this is that the front wheel can collapse. This is precisely what happened to AdrianW's car - fortunately only going at about 5mph and on the way to a service centre, and no real damage was done. In response to this a Technical Bulletin was sent by Noble to their Dealers and Service Centres to inspect for cracks at service and replace (FOC) if any signs of cracking were noticed. So, well done Noble. In my own case - my car went in for it's 18K service at 16K and both mounts were cracked -one badly; the second with hairline. Would the badly cracked one have lasted another 2K miles? I don't know, but all replaced without fuss or charge. The replacement mounts are solid with no grub screw hole (as on earlier and later models AFAIK))
However, not all people use Noble Service Centres and so for anyone out there who has any doubts at all, my advice would be to get your up-right mounts checked pdq by a Noble Service Centre
I have a 05/05 M400 and had the mounts replaced at Christmas
F.C.
V6GTO said:
Got any idea of the build numbers of the cars involved?
Martin.
Martin.
Martin -the answer is No, but the factory should! I'm guessing at 3Rs and M400s from about March 2004 to mid 2005. Easy enough to check - just pop the front clam and have a shufti in behind the wheel at the ali block on top of the ball joint. If it has a grub screw hole then my advise would be to get it changed regardless of condition. As I said, on earlier and later cars a solid block has been used and there is absolutely no issue with these. Why they went to this other iteration with a grub hole (point of weakness) is anyones guess.
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