front arb drop link and control arm ball joint questions

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stew72
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Post Wed Jul 31, 2013 8:54 pm

My cabby passed its MOT today with two advisories -

n/s front drop link deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement

o/s front lower ball joint has slight play

First question - what brand of drop link should I be looking for? I had a look earlier and after a little levering around it needs to be replaced

Second question - as my control arms are steel and everything else is in very good condition can I get a new ball joint (seen that ecp do the lemforder ones) and get it pressed in? Or is this a waste of time and would replacing the whole arm be better? This does seem like an expensive option though.

Cheers.
Rtaylor2208
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Post Wed Jul 31, 2013 9:01 pm

Ball joint can be done but unless you have a press your as well DIY change the arm as it will be about the same as having a garage replace the ball joint.

Lemforder for the drop links too, I used Mondeo estate rear ones that brianmoore recommended. Approx £30 a pair from carparts4less.
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stew72
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Post Wed Jul 31, 2013 9:40 pm

I'll get prices tomorrow. I was under the impression that if I change the whole arm I'll need to fit a new rear bush too, which I don't actually need, is that right?

I have access to a press for a contributuon to the tea fund, so shouldn't be too bad.

Whats the advantage of the mondeo rear ones? And which model mondeo?
daimlerman
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Post Thu Aug 01, 2013 6:22 am

Ball joint removing tool is available via an Ebay shop at about £100.
Snag with removing the arm to take it to your mate with a press is that you need to remove the arm....only way is to use a 'tuning fork' type ball joint splitter on the inner joint....it is usual to swap these arms in pairs,BTW.

I have not,yet,done the Mondeo drop link upgrade,but I understand that they are rose jointed at both ends,rather than just one end as per BMW's item.
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daimlerman
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Post Thu Aug 01, 2013 6:34 am

Youth is wasted on the young.
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Brianmoooore
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Post Thu Aug 01, 2013 9:25 am

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stew72
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Post Thu Aug 01, 2013 8:22 pm

Cheers all.

Got the parts on order for collection tomorrow, TRW drop link and lemforder ball joint from ECP for under £30. Will do the drop link over the weekend (going for standard replacement as I only need one) and probably leave the ball joint until over the winter as the play is minimal. I've got a fork type ball joint splitter somewhere and access to a press although I could probably knock something up to do it in situ if I really had to.