Bottom ball joint nightmare!

cheeseandbeans

Zorg Addict
British Zeds
Joined
Jun 27, 2016
Points
49
Location
Oldham, Greater Manchester
Afternoon all. What a morning I've had. Was up early with the kids so I decided to go to the local car boot.
Once I get there I head into the car park, little bit bumpy and all of a sudden I can here a scraping noise. Thought maybe I'd popped a tyre. Some woman is shouting at me "you wheel isn't on right!" So I pull into a little dirt track where other cars are parked.
I get out of the car to see the drivers side front wheel is literally hanging off! The bottom ball joint has snapped and nothing is holding it on.
A nice bloke walking past helped me jack it up and take the wheel off while the RAC came. He managed to get it back in and use some adjustable straps to secure it so I could get towed back.
Worrying thing is it looked as though there had been a metal plate welded over be bottom of the joint at some point which is where it failed. Thankfully it didn't happen on the dual carriageway!

Will get it on the ramp at my mates tomorrow and replace as much as I can on both sides.
 

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Mnbrennan

Zorg Guru (IV)
British Zeds
M Power
#ZedShed
Joined
Jul 25, 2015
Points
153
Location
Aylesbury
Model of Z
BMW M Coupe / 2.8 roadster
I believe the Z3 control arm has a plate of the bottom of the ball joint (just a thin one). Sounds like you've been unlucky, glad you got home cleanly
 

Dobiwallah

Zorg Legend
New Zealand Zeds
Joined
Nov 5, 2014
Points
79
Location
Napier, New Zealand
Model of Z
2L
I think you must have had an angel on your shoulder. You don't wanna think what happens with 100km/h! Maybe better replace the other side as well to be certain.
 

5harp3y

Zorg Guru (IV)
British Zeds
Joined
Jul 10, 2015
Points
168
Location
Basingstoke
Model of Z
2.8
they seem a bit cheap for that much kit.

i'd be tempted to spend more and get a proper brand like Meyle HD or Lemforder

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Meyle-HD-...del:Z3&hash=item51ca35170a:g:HAYAAOSw-W5UtBD6
 
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