451-ball-joint-change.htm¶

1 excerpts.

451 Ball Joint Change¶

evilution.co.uk/mod/451-ball-joint-change.htm · p. 1 · Applies to: 451

Mod Details Premium No Difficulty Mod ID 1903 For Link https://evilution.co.uk/mod/451-ball-joint-change.htm Copy to Clipboard The 451 is getting to the point where they are starting to fail on ball joints. The failure is either splits in the rubber boot or excessive play in the ball joint itself. This is a 451 ball joint. This one was quite loose so flopped around due to excessive wear. Unlike the 450 and Roadster, the 451 ball joint is pressed into the wishbone (control arm). The replacements come with a new nut and are protected with a plastic sleeve. Ball Joint Rubber Boot The ball joint is packed with grease to increase its longevity. To stop the grease getting contaminated with water or escaping, it has a rubber boot coving it. If this rubber boot is split, it will accelerate the wear of the ball joint and the car should fail the government vehicle test (such as the MOT in the UK). If your ball joint is still OK, you can replace just the boot. The base is held in with a split ring, much like the thing you keep your keys on. Lever it off. You can’t reuse these so hopefully the replacement rubber boot will come with one. Be aware that fitting the replacement split ring isn’t easy. With the ring removed, you can pull the rubber boot out. The replacement rubber boot needs to be 28mm base hole and 13mm top hole. A smaller size can be stretched but it’s a pain. Annoyingly, it’s hard to just buy the correct size. It’s actually easier and cheaper to buy a pack of several sizes and just using the 1 that fits. See this pack here and use the most appropriate one. CLICK . Ball Joint Removal To be honest, if you have the ability to change the ball joint, it’s easier than fitting a new boot. This is the one I fitted – Click . It was a FAG 825 0388 10. I strongly recommend that you don’t just buy the cheapest ball joint you can find. They rarely last long. This is the 1st ball joint I have ever seen with a clear rubber boot! Weird. I have a hydraulic press but it’s actually easier to use a ball joint press kit like this. CLICK here . What About Just Fitting A New Wishbone? Unless your old wishbones are rusted through, damaged or bent, don’t bother with aftermarket wishbones. They are thin, shit and don’t align the wheels properly. If smart still sell new ones, the part number is A451 330 00 10 If your old wishbone just needs new ball joints and bushes, keep your old wishbones and just change the failed parts. Before fitting The New Ball Joint Whilst the ball joint is out, sand down the entire wishbone and give it a fresh coat of spray paint or a product like Hammerite. Click if info helped 1 likes 13099 views Print