Replacing ball joints

[Bringit96]

So it's about time I tackled the MOT advisories. The things I have left to source are for

1) Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Both sides ()

2) Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play Nearside front has dust cover damaged

Can I buy the joints and change them or do I have to buy a complete part? How much is possible to DIY? Are they any upgraded parts I could get instead?

Thanks

 

[hard top]

Old @t-tony should be able to help you out here

 

[Sean d]

So it's about time I tackled the MOT advisories. The things I have left to source are for

1) Play in steering rack inner joint(s) Both sides ()

2) Offside Front Anti-roll bar ball joint has slight play Nearside front has dust cover damaged

Can I buy the joints and change them or do I have to buy a complete part? How much is possible to DIY? Are they any upgraded parts I could get instead?

Thanks

Easy job to do pal, another job for the Lincoln Z shed

 

[Sean d]

Just noticed, the antiroll bar doesn't have a ball joint
It might be worth your while fitting a similar kit to this, I have had 2 now and they have been great quality
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRONT-SU...8:g:KKoAAOSwZgxbkIfk:rk:3:pf:1&frcectupt=true

 

[t-tony]

Show us a copy of the MOT sheet Ali. Rack ends are easy, you can buy kits including inner joint, boot and track rod ends for sensible many. Anti roll bar links, again, easy to do.

Tony.

 

[Bringit96]

Here's the MOT sheet




Are there any powerflex parts I can swap in for the mountings at the same time? Would like do as much as I can while parts are off

 

[Sean d]

Here's the MOT sheet


View attachment 96139

Are there any powerflex parts I can swap in for the mountings at the same time? Would like do as much as I can while parts are off

You can use poly ARB bushes

 

[t-tony]

Not sure of you can get drop links with power flex bushes in the bottom joints mate, but that's about all unless you want to change the A/R "D" bushes.

Tony.

 

[colb]

Might need a special tool to undo the inner track rod end at the steering rack end or use a slimed down spanner to get on the flats to undo them. Last time I changed some I got a tool from Halfords that slips over the end and grips it when you turn it with a socket set wrench and a long extension bar. Used the same tool to tighten the new one. Ball joint wedge or removal tool might be hand for the wheel end as well. Good Youtube from Bavarian Autosports explains all.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsUUSp2xEos
Part 1

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47UbYE3tExM
Part 2

 

[colb]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6f52z18O5rU


Tie rod replacement video explains how to change these, you might want to arm yourself with a inner tie rod removal tool or use a slimmed down spanner to undo the inner joint and a ball joint splitter tool for the outer one. Both tools are available at Halfords or trawl ebay.

Part 2 deals with installing the new rods

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYP-aHxzoaU

 

[t-tony]

Got all the tools you'll need at the Shed Alejandro.

Tony.

 

[Bringit96]

Thanks everyone


I take it 1 and 3, possibly 2 on the diagram are the ones to go for in terms of poly bushes? I'll double check the sizes once I note down my VIN but initial looks on real oem are saying 22.5mm

 

[t-tony]

That looks right mate. Did you change the front left lower arm because the inner ball joint on it was knackered before the MOT?

Tony.

 

[Bringit96]

I was expecting that to fail as you'd checked it and gave me the heads up but it went through unchanged. I even said to the guy I'm expecting that to fail.

 

[mrscalex]

Just noticed, the antiroll bar doesn't have a ball joint
It might be worth your while fitting a similar kit to this, I have had 2 now and they have been great quality
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FRONT-SUSPENSION-TRACK-CONTROL-ARM-WISHBONE-SET-KIT-BMW-E36-Z3-2-0-i-1999-2003/132752619128?fits=Car+Make:BMW&hash=item1ee8ac3678:g:KKoAAOSwZgxbkIfk:rk:3f:1&frcectupt=true

ARB ball-joint is presumably the drop link onto the control arm.

MOT descriptions are not always obvious.

 

[t-tony]

That's not good as the anti roll bar and linkages are separately testable items.

Tony.