Bottom ball joint-Sorry search not working as usual!

[BIGMIKE1]

In the middle of refurbishing my front suspension at the minute, started out as replace the 2 worn upper bushes and has ended with replacing everything so wont have to touch it again for a while! Question is does anybody know if there is a difference in quality of lower ball joints between race tech direct and clever trevor as the race tech direct ones are £21 more each!???

Also need to cut off and weld on new ball joint securing tubes to the wishbones as these have rotted really badly although the rest of the wishbones just seem to have a bit of surface rust, they seem to have been repainted black at some stage and there was still some of the original powder coat so not too bad really. Is this another common problem or have I just been unlucky that both sides have rotted these tubes away???
Any help or comments appreciated.
Mike

[phillpot]

Chances are they'll both come in a "First Line" box labelled Fiat 132

[BIGMIKE1]

phillpot said:

Chances are they'll both come in a "First Line" box labelled Fiat 132

If thats the case buying those would cost me a hell of a lot less! Race tech direct want £48+vat each so I would not be impressed if that is what turns up. I thought I had read horror storys of non TVR specific ones not moving far enough and casuing problems??? Has anybody used standard Fiat 132 ball joints then?

[roseytvr]

There is a known issue with the ball joints in that some supplies do not have enough movement in them to fit properly - unfortunately not so well known that I can remember! Sorry!

I am sure someone will put you right as there have jbeen a number of threads about it. I ended up paying more and getting mine from Tvr power - they were the right ones.

Sorry cant be more helpfull

[Big Al.]

Does this help

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Found in Chim Forum FAQ's.

[carsy]

Didnt want to take any risks with these so also got mine from TVR Power. They stated they had used the same ball joint for as long as they could recall and never had any problems.

That said mine is only just in tolerance when suspension is at full droop. My top ball joint is positioned towards the outer of the wishbone which helps the situation. If it had to go towards the inner end of the wishbone it would cause the lower ball joint to lock out. Just to help the situation a little i also placed a couple of washers under the lower balljoint on the outer 2 bolts to angle it that bit more inwards.

I wouldnt try and save a few quid with these, be safe and buy the proper parts.

[phillpot]

Before fitting the First Line units to my S Series I checked the amount of movement against old items, definately as much if not more.I seem to remember just one hole needing the slightest amount of filing to align the 3 holes, nothing like the amount of work suggested in the posted link.

But I appreciate that while the Chimaera uses the same Ford Sierra hub carrier etc. the wishbones are completely different so greater angles of deflection may be involved?

[TVR Beaver]

Read this :-
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

even the Power ones locked out for me.. I was taking no chances.. I have seen wheels come off before... so even if you go to CT... make sure you get the right ones!...

[Rufus Roughcut]

Hi, just nipped over from the Cerb forum, I'll promise not to stay too long

I had a bottom ball joint let go on me a couple of years back, see this thread http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=2&a...

If in doubt I'd buy from Racing Green.


Edited: I meant to say Racing Green, not that there's owt wrong with the other guys...

HTH

Edited by Rufus Roughcut on Tuesday 7th February 14:57

[M@H]

From my thread in September:

Lower front balljoint TVR C0036 :
Racing Green Price: £ 48.00 ex vat
RaceTech Price: £ 48.00 ex vat
Clever Trevor price: £ 30.00 ex vat

Upper front balljoint TVR C0035 :
Racing Green Price: £ 28.27 ex vat
RaceTech Price: £ 19.95 ex vat
Clever Trevor price: £ 20.80 ex vat

Bear in Mind that Clevor trevor and Racing Green are the same people supplying the same parts, I think you'll get exactly the same part from all three suppliers. I ordered from CT

[phillpot]

M@H said:

Upper front balljoint TVR C0035 :
Racing Green Price: £ 28.27 ex vat
RaceTech Price: £ 19.95 ex vat
Clever Trevor price: £ 20.80 ex vat

Or Saab 900 (79-98) £12.87+vat from local motor factor

[BIGMIKE1]

M@H said:

From my thread in September:

Lower front balljoint TVR C0036 :
Racing Green Price: £ 48.00 ex vat
RaceTech Price: £ 48.00 ex vat
Clever Trevor price: £ 30.00 ex vat

Upper front balljoint TVR C0035 :
Racing Green Price: £ 28.27 ex vat
RaceTech Price: £ 19.95 ex vat
Clever Trevor price: £ 20.80 ex vat

Bear in Mind that Clevor trevor and Racing Green are the same people supplying the same parts, I think you'll get exactly the same part from all three suppliers. I ordered from CT

Thanks for all the post's chaps.
M@H do the clever trevor ones definately have the full movement then?
I know its not something I should be trying to save a few quid on but just want to make sure I get ones with full movement and that I'm not being ripped off for them! The Race Tech Direct ones and Racing green ones both state specificaly manufactured for full articulation but the Clever Trevor ones dont mention anything and are a lot cheaper. Racing green ones have gone up to £63.71 now

[BIGMIKE1]

I buckled in the end and ordered the Race Tech Direct ones, needed a few other parts anyway and have my new polybushes and SH drop links sat waiting. I'll post my findings once they turn up but they do state they've had them made to have the correct articulation.

[SILICONEKID340HP]

I was told by a TVR specialist that the design as changed slightly so maybe Racetech etc have old stock.. The part may be ok for its original purpose (another car) but may cause problems with the Chimaera.

When i had the geo setup the later ball joints fouled so the large shim was removed for two smaller ones to cure the problem..

[Barreti]

Just for future reference BIGMIKE1, if you'd entered the following into Google you'd have got what you are looking for.

bottom ball joint site:www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing

I use this function of Google more than the PH search facility because its more reliable.

HTH
IanB

[M@H]

BIGMIKE1 said:

Thanks for all the post's chaps.
M@H do the clever trevor ones definately have the full movement then?
I know its not something I should be trying to save a few quid on but just want to make sure I get ones with full movement and that I'm not being ripped off for them! The Race Tech Direct ones and Racing green ones both state specificaly manufactured for full articulation but the Clever Trevor ones dont mention anything and are a lot cheaper. Racing green ones have gone up to £63.71 now

The ones they sent me do have full movement with Racing Red shocks - I had to re-replace an upper wishbone after doing all the initial fitting and there was plenty of wiggle room at the top to re-bolt the upper wishbone to the upper balljoint so no fouling occurring at the bottom. I'm not sure if the RR shocks are marginally shorter than the standard ones mind you.

[M@H]

phillpot said:

M@H said:

Upper front balljoint TVR C0035 :
Racing Green Price: £ 28.27 ex vat
RaceTech Price: £ 19.95 ex vat
Clever Trevor price: £ 20.80 ex vat

Or Saab 900 (79-98) £12.87+vat from local motor factor

Isn't that the S Series one

Very nice car collection you have there by the way

[phillpot]

M@H said:

Isn't that the S Series one

Chimaera gone now and I never changed the ball joints but picture in Steve Heath book looks very similar

[DaveW500TVR]

Hi All

I had this issue on my 98 Chimaera last year and tried all the suggested alternatives without success.

My Indie also tried matching the bottom ball joint through his suppliers again without any success.

I examined the Quinton Hazel catalogue in detail and whilst there were a number of close matches there was not an exact listing.

In the end bought from CT, perfect fit without any fettling. No clue as to manufacturer or part number
but seem to recall appeared to have German origins!

I wouldn't waste my time again, straight to CT next time for me.

Usual disclaimers!

Dave

[SILICONEKID340HP]

Like i said both ball joints fit the original car they were made for.Due to tolerances they catch the chimaera !they were not designed for the TVR to start with ..if you manage to get the early style ball joints they are just old stock !

Both old and new design fit the original car !