How to fix widget?

[carreauchompeur]

I have, yet another, annoying fault on my Merc… one of the adaptive suspension sensor arms keeps popping off. This means it defaults to Sport setting. Fun, but drinks fuel and a bit crashy on a potholed country road!

Arm is plastic on a metal balljoint.

I’ve tried with a large ziptie across the gap but this only worked briefly. Would a metal ziptie work better, or maybe heat it? Ideally don’t want to break it.

Sensor is fine, but available as a whole assembly only I think, and is a few hundred quid I’d rather not spend!

Next resort is a 3d printed one from eBay… but I feel
I should be able to sort it.

[anonymous-user]

pop it off, heat the cup end and pinch with pliers till cool, Pop back on and live the dream

[Smint]

Similar on Subarus for the headlight levellers, OE part stupid price but found on ebay similar double ended joints for Landcruisers, threaded rod connecting the two balljoints, was able to cut down a little and then adjust to perfect size.
Might just work for you.

[motco]

I'd either bind some stainless wire around just above the 'bulge' but circumnavigating the slit as close to the ball socket as possible, or put a suitably sized Jubilee clip around it.

[richs2891]

Hose clamp maybe ?
Or if feeling brave drill a hole through it and nut and bolt with large washers either end to close the gap ?

[Bill]

motco said:

I'd either bind some stainless wire around just above the 'bulge' but circumnavigating the slit as close to the ball socket as possible, or put a suitably sized Jubilee clip around it.

[normalbloke]

Bill said:

motco said:

I'd either bind some stainless wire around just above the 'bulge' but circumnavigating the slit as close to the ball socket as possible, or put a suitably sized Jubilee clip around it.

Lock wire it.

[E-bmw]

Personally, I think lockwire (being narrow) might concentrate too much pressure on the plastic.

I would be looking to a fuel hose clip rather than jubilee clip.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/304539052502?hash=item4...

[GreenV8S]

I'd use a cable tie twisted round both parts. If it needs to travel through a larg angle, I'd use two smaller cable ties to form a chain.

You might need to replace the ties in five years time.

[carreauchompeur]

Thanks all… attempt 2!



Fingers crossed this will work. It’s significantly tighter on the balljoint and holding on OK. Unfortunately there’s no room for a hose clip as it’s got a large range of movement and would foul somewhere.

Playfully called Merc to see if they just sold the arm. No, its a whole new sensor at a bargain £200.

If this fails I’ll order a 3d printed one from Lithuania which is £16…

[carreauchompeur]

Could conceivably try the 2 cable ties… big one just around the arm didnt work.