Ball joint dust seals and MOT :(

[dublicious]

Hi,

Been working on my camper and just noticed all four of the ball joint dust seals are split I have an MOT on Saturday and wondering will they fail it based on this alone? How much of a pig of a job is it?

Appreciate your help,

J

 

[rickyrooo1]

yes they are a fail now, the job isn't too hard to do - the clip that holds them on is a bit of a pig to re-fit though, don't forget to note the position of the mark. on the balljoint - theres a small indentation on them - if you don't keep it how it was the camber is affected, buy decent boots the cheap ones don't last 5 minutes.

 

[dublicious]

Many thanks, whats the best way to pry them apart please, fork? are you referring to the camber mark?

yes they are a fail now, the job isn't too hard to do - the clip that holds them on is a bit of a pig to re-fit though, don't forget to note the position of the mark. on the balljoint - theres a small indentation on them - if you don't keep it how it was the camber is affected, buy decent boots the cheap ones don't last 5 minutes.

 

[rickyrooo1]

fork would do, i guess? i just tapped mine with a hammer and they came apart easy (no rust - cali bus) yes camber mark is what i refer to.

 

[dublicious]

thanks again, I suppose I will have to remove wheels, hubs etc to get to them as well

fork would do, i guess? i just tapped mine with a hammer and they came apart easy (no rust - cali bus) yes camber mark is what i refer to.

 

[rickyrooo1]

wheels yes hubs no, you can force them up by putting a trolley jack under the disc, 1st one i did took me a while to sus, the rest was literally 15 mins.

 

[dublicious]

awesome, thanks for your help. Last question, promise Do I need a special tool to undo the camber adjuster?

Take care

wheels yes hubs no, you can force them up by putting a trolley jack under the disc, 1st one i did took me a while to sus, the rest was literally 15 mins.

 

[rickyrooo1]

no special tools required hope yours go as easy as mine did, i have to change a ball joint on mine, when i did one of the covers i noticed it was a tad loose but i filled with grease and winged it - mot man noticed but as he knows me and that i take care of the bus he let me off if i promised to do it...... i havent done it yet not looking forward to it, belive you need a massive press or buy the arm already done on exchange basis

 

[dublicious]

your a star, thanks just been reading about replacing a ball joint, eek. I think I may have to do some, but hopefully enough to get through the mot. would be interested to see how other peeps have replaced theirs!

Take care

no special tools required hope yours go as easy as mine did, i have to change a ball joint on mine, when i did one of the covers i noticed it was a tad loose but i filled with grease and winged it - mot man noticed but as he knows me and that i take care of the bus he let me off if i promised to do it...... i havent done it yet not looking forward to it, belive you need a massive press or buy the arm already done on exchange basis

 

[Bwuttonmoon]

Local garage fitted mine for £30 :msn4:

 

[Max Power]

If the ball joints are ok just change the boots,this is much easier and cheaper than doing ball joints,if greased and with standard suspension they will last forever 8)

 

[K@rlos]

Had to change this on mine 4 out of the 6 years I've owned it :evil: and they TQ! Next MOT it will have kingpins so no more issue :lol:

 

[dublicious]

thanks guys. I tried to separate the upper ball joint though failed as the eccentric camber adjusting bushing wouldn't move. So left soaking in penetration oil.

What concerns me so far is the lower two which I have removed seem to have a lot of play.

Typical. MOT on Saturday and taking kids away next weekend!

 

[Johnny69]

Just a word of warning from my experience.

I had to replace my ball joints and getting them out was a nightmare. I had to get the garage to do them in the end and they had to use a truck joint puller and heat them up. They said I wouldnt have been able to budge them if Id tried myself.

It might be worth providing the parts to the garage and asking them to do it as part of the MOT mate - itll save you a load of hastle if they are as tight as mine were.

Cheers and good luck

Johnny

 

[onlybayinthevillage]

Just had an advisory on split ones this weekend. Apparently as long as they do not let in dirt etc they will pass. Best to change them though I guess

 

[Valentine Won]

Same as me had an advisory on split rubbers but said also no dust getting in
cheers shaun

 

[dublicious]

thanks guys . I am picking up some pressed torsion arms tomorrow then fit back up