MOT Fail - lower suspension ball joint - advice req please

[Richie83]

Hi, my zt failed its MOT on a few things I would like to try do the work myself to save pennys for the kids Christmas pressies!

Here's the list of problems ...

1. Offside front suspension has excessive play in a lower ball joint.

Would this require a whole new arm fitting ?

2. Offside & nearside lower front suspension ball joint dust cover excessiveley damaged.

Are these difficult to change ?

And finally ...both front drop link dust covers are damaged. Ive purchased new drop links but are they difficult to replace, looks like 2 bolts and thats it ?

Any help / advice to make the job easier would be appreciated! Thanks

[whitevanman]

As you probably suspect the ball joint is part of the arm, some say the job is a pita others say it's easy, I did one and was in the middle You may end up doing both sides as mine were tight as..so you may damage the other trying to get it off for a new dust boot.

drop links are easy though.

Plenty of threads on here on here regarding arm replacement..

have fun..

[stocktake]

The offside failure item is the complete arm, usually if you have to change the arm you need the rear bush as well as it is unusual if it is in a good enough condition to be saved. An experienced mechanic can change one in around an hour, but a DIYer may well set aside 4 or 5 hours.
The drop links are well documented and are indeed 2 bolts, most effective way to remove the top bolt is to cut through the drop link just below the fixing bracket with an angle grinder.
Tip:
Cut the top thread of the new drop link down so when it is fitted none or very little of the thread protrudes through the nylock nut, makes refitting and subsequent further changes as lot easier.


A new dust cover can be replaced without changing the other arm, just a matter of separating the bottom joint

[paul d]

Originally Posted by stocktake

The offside failure item is the complete arm, usually if you have to change the arm you need the rear bush as well as it is unusual if it is in a good enough condition to be saved

As Dave says it is unusual for the rear bush to be good enough to save. If you do replace the bush check out the one Powerflex do now (2 piece in purple), makes refitting a whole lot easier.

Regards

Paul

[Alan123]

hi all I've just came in from the cold and the rain after fitting both front drop links hardest job was undoin top bolt but *** it just grind it off and the rest is simple it only took mee 1 1/2hRs and half hour of that was begging a grinder off the niebour lol

[DMGRS]

I agree with the above - drop links are a nasty job if you don't grind them off. I have a grinder here just because of this task!

Lower arms are quite a task, usually because of a seized lower pinch bolt (soak in penetrating oil and have a heat source when doing the job) and the rear bush is a bit fiddly to change.

Finally, myself and other members have all suffered with cheap lower arms. I'd recommend some well-branded items, as the cheaper items really don't seem to last. Good luck.

[hinged_bap]

I'd add an 18mm FLEXIBLE head ratchet spanner comes in very useful for the rear bush.

[okenora]

Originally Posted by Richie83

Hi, my zt failed its MOT on a few things I would like to try do the work myself to save pennys for the kids Christmas pressies!

Here's the list of problems ...

1. Offside front suspension has excessive play in a lower ball joint.l.

Would this require a whole new arm fitting ?

Yes, if the balljoint is gone then it is a whole new arm. You should also do the rear wishbone bushes at the same time, mainly because you will probably destroy the old one taking the arm out but also, with the arm out access is better.

2. Offside & nearside lower front suspension ball joint dust cover excessiveley damaged.

Are these difficult to change ?

fitting the new arm sorts one side. Fitting a new cover to the lower joint is handy enough.

And finally ...both front drop link dust covers are damaged. Ive purchased new drop links but are they difficult to replace, looks like 2 bolts and thats it ?

Any help / advice to make the job easier would be appreciated! Thanks

Droplinks seem easy but can be a pain. Access to the top nut is poor and they are regularly seized. Steering on full lock to side you are doing the droplink on improves access. Don't be surprised if you end up cutting the old one off. It is just 2 nuts but what a pain one can be.