Bottom ball joint

17th January 2013, 00:30

Going over bumps, I could hear a knocking noise coming from the front, Kwik Fit told me my bottom ball joint had a bit of play in it and recommended I just fit a new wishbone.

The knocking is getting slightly worse, still not too bad though. Would I be OK to leave it until I go to my parents' in 4 weeks? I can do it in their driveway and would be able to get someone to help me if I fuck it up otherwise I'll be doing it in the street in Dundee.

Also, should they be done in pairs? I only have the money for one if I have to do it now and the nearside is the worst.. not actually sure if the offside has any play, will have to check tomorrow.

17th January 2013, 00:34

Don't need to do them in pairs. If you really need to leave it that long make sure the bolt on the hub that holds the bottom ball joint in is done up FT. If there's any play in that at all it won't be doing you any favours. Will probably be ok for a few weeks though unless it's horrendously bad.

17th January 2013, 00:36

you'll be ok yes, just will be a bit squiffy handling and will only get worse over time. Probably a very old ball joint. And yes do both at the same time, it make sense as the other one is probably not far off wear wise.
If you cant afford both wishbones just get the ball joints and slip a garage 10 quid to press them out and swap them over. However that way the mount bushes for the wishbones might be a bit tired so personally its work doing the full wishbones.

17th January 2013, 00:40

Ah right, I'll check that bolt tmorrow. I noticed the dodgy handling, the car seems to wander a bit when I declutch when accelerating. Is it an easy enough job? The Haynes manual isn't quite the bible that I thought it would be so I'm not sure how many problems I might run into. I might just do the n/s one now and do the other next month

17th January 2013, 00:52

I'd disagree with both at the same time. I'm a stickler for doing things in pairs where necessary but in the case of the lower arm ball joint it's not necessary at all unless the other one is worn out as well. Dead easy to check and if there's no play there is no reason to change it.

17th January 2013, 01:00

Well, about a month ago, I skidded and span on a dual carriageway and went up over the tapered kerb onto the central reservation -with the n/s wheel going up first- and have noticed the knocking since then so maybe that damaged it. If the other one goes, I'll just buy another wishbone, not much of a saving in buying a pair and I've gots to save me pennies