Ball joints!
Author
Discussion

bernhund

Original Poster:

3,798 posts

222 months

Monday 24th August 2009
quotequote all
So I posted a discussion about my steering rack and you guys sent some useful info. I have taken the gator off the offside end of the rack and slung some grease in there. I've also put spray grease on various moving parts around the wishbones etc. Still squeaking and groaning. Sounds like a load of chimps have moved in under the front clam!
Adrian has suggested the ball joints are shot. How can I check these out and if I'm gonna replace them on a 2.5, what are they from and where can I get them? If it happens to be the rack, what is it from and where can I get one?
Lastly, whilst I am gaining a plethera of information from you, my air filters could be used to grow spuds in. I'd be surprised if any air gets in at all. K&N tell me they made them specially for Noble. Can I get replacements from someone other than Noble coz I've got a feeling they're gonna be stupid money otherwise.
I look forward to recieving your answers with ill concealed anticipation!

andygtt

8,345 posts

293 months

Monday 24th August 2009
quotequote all
mine did the same recently and it was the lower ball joint... had to jack the car up to see the movement which was up and down.

mr2turbo300

406 posts

272 months

Monday 24th August 2009
quotequote all
bernhund said:
Lastly, whilst I am gaining a plethera of information from you, my air filters could be used to grow spuds in. I'd be surprised if any air gets in at all. K&N tell me they made them specially for Noble. Can I get replacements from someone other than Noble coz I've got a feeling they're gonna be stupid money otherwise.
I look forward to recieving your answers with ill concealed anticipation!
I just bought one of the K&N Filter clean kits and mine came up looking like new.
Rob.

Adrian W

15,492 posts

257 months

Monday 24th August 2009
quotequote all
The rack is from a Ford Scorpio, K&N do a cleaning and re-oil kit, you can even buy it at Halfrouds,A Jemmy on the bottom wishbone should find any movement in the ball joint, getting a spanner in there is fun.

Most part numbers are on the Nobleparts wiki


Edited by Adrian W on Monday 24th August 18:56

bernhund

Original Poster:

3,798 posts

222 months

Monday 24th August 2009
quotequote all
Thankyou chaps, I can turn my hand to most things but cars! If I were to pay for a rack and ball joints to be fitted at a local garage, would you hazzard a guess to the cost? (Just so I don't get totally ripped off)
Also, if those bits are coming out, should there be anything else at the front end that should be done at the same time?

daddysumo

2,545 posts

242 months

Monday 24th August 2009
quotequote all
bernhund said:
Thankyou chaps, I can turn my hand to most things but cars! If I were to pay for a rack and ball joints to be fitted at a local garage, would you hazzard a guess to the cost? (Just so I don't get totally ripped off)
Also, if those bits are coming out, should there be anything else at the front end that should be done at the same time?


Ball joints are quite straight forward to do, but...
the steering rack although quite easy to change must be set up for bump steer correctly afterwards, the rack heights are available in the Noble manual amongst others.

Steve

Mike Tuckwood

1,261 posts

228 months

Monday 24th August 2009
quotequote all
daddysumo said:
Ball joints are quite straight forward to do, but...
However........
If you're doing the lower suspension joint, these seem to be interference fit and corrision/age can take a very heavy toll.
I am swapping mine out as they're dirt cheap while I have all my suspension off, but they needed to be pressed out and required an almost unbelievable 25 tonnes of pressure to push them out of the sockets! yikes


Mike.

bernhund

Original Poster:

3,798 posts

222 months

Monday 24th August 2009
quotequote all
I've noticed the inside edge of the front offside tyre has worn quite badly and I would think I will be replacing the pair quite soon. Would you think this could be an indication that the ball joints are worn?

BobE

605 posts

210 months

Monday 24th August 2009
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Could be but I`d checking the tracking first (unless you can feel/see play in the ball joints).

daddysumo

2,545 posts

242 months

Tuesday 25th August 2009
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Mike Tuckwood said:
daddysumo said:
Ball joints are quite straight forward to do, but...


However........
If you're doing the lower suspension joint, these seem to be interference fit and corrision/age can take a very heavy toll.
I am swapping mine out as they're dirt cheap while I have all my suspension off, but they needed to be pressed out and required an almost unbelievable 25 tonnes of pressure to push them out of the sockets! yikes


Mike.


Yea I was refering to the top ball joints as luckily I have not had to do the lower ones.... yet hehe
It seems these are the most usual ones to wear, guess the amount of castor doesn't help.

Steve