Lower Ball Joint-Fitting technique

Big lumps of metals and spanners.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Locked
gtavalanche
Registered user
Posts: 327
Joined: 22 Mar 2011, 17:49
80-90 Mem No: 9412
Location: Wattisham, Ipswich

Lower Ball Joint-Fitting technique

Post by gtavalanche »

Hi,

Ive had all my front suspension sand blasted and painted, Now I need to fit the new Lemforder lower ball joints from Brickwerks. I spent an Hour at work ealier using a hydraulic press, I thought it would be fairly simple, however I cant seem to get it in a position where it will press all the way down. I gave up after it slipped and ripped the boot. :x Anyone got any hints and tips to get it sorted?
1985 Caravelle GTi AGG

faggie
Registered user
Posts: 1025
Joined: 10 Jan 2010, 17:10

Re: Lower Ball Joint-Fitting technique

Post by faggie »

take the boot of before you fit the next one and use a large socket to press the joint into the arm

gtavalanche
Registered user
Posts: 327
Joined: 22 Mar 2011, 17:49
80-90 Mem No: 9412
Location: Wattisham, Ipswich

Re: Lower Ball Joint-Fitting technique

Post by gtavalanche »

Good thinking! I'll give that a go tomorow. Cheers
1985 Caravelle GTi AGG

User avatar
Ian Hulley
Registered user
Posts: 12661
Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 08:08
80-90 Mem No: 1323
Location: Wirksworth, Derbyshire ... or at t'mill

Re: Lower Ball Joint-Fitting technique

Post by Ian Hulley »

Early or later type ? The later ones have a fine spline they are mated with and pressed into with a retaining circlip underneath, if the splines are full of paint it may be the problem. Early type are in some kind of carrier which is then pressed it and bolted to retain it, again paint in the way won't help as these are all a tight fit.

Ian
The Hulley's Bus
1989 2.1DJ Trampspotter
LPG courtesy of Steve @ Gasure

gtavalanche
Registered user
Posts: 327
Joined: 22 Mar 2011, 17:49
80-90 Mem No: 9412
Location: Wattisham, Ipswich

Re: Lower Ball Joint-Fitting technique

Post by gtavalanche »

Its the later type, could be the paint, but it seemed to strip the paint as it went in, its just the last 5mm that wont seem to press down.
1985 Caravelle GTi AGG

gtavalanche
Registered user
Posts: 327
Joined: 22 Mar 2011, 17:49
80-90 Mem No: 9412
Location: Wattisham, Ipswich

Re: Lower Ball Joint-Fitting technique

Post by gtavalanche »

Found this website......
http://home.earthlink.net/~mark.cumnock ... /id33.html

Maybe something to add to the wiki, anyone got a ball joint servicing kit?
1985 Caravelle GTi AGG

gtavalanche
Registered user
Posts: 327
Joined: 22 Mar 2011, 17:49
80-90 Mem No: 9412
Location: Wattisham, Ipswich

Re: Lower Ball Joint-Fitting technique

Post by gtavalanche »

Thanks for the advice, A mate who works in a garage sorted it in the end.
1985 Caravelle GTi AGG

Locked