littlebrownbike Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Noticed this leaked grease today on the offside, just under the hub. What are your thoughts Tony? It looks like the rubber cover has come off slightly, looks very fresh too. Is it livable with or can I simply re-position the cover? This car has cost me £1,875.21 in maintenance in the 22.5k miles I've had it - don't want to spend any more. Here is how the nearside looks. Secondly, its the offside arb bush that is damaged, nearside looks much better. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 That's the ball joint boot. You probably won't be able to fix it. If the lower arm bushes are ok just fit a new ball joint, they don't cost that much. ARB bushes are cheap aswell but if they make them for yours get some poly bushes, they last alot longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted June 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 In this application, whats the purpose of the ball joint and how much are they? I expect the wheel, brakes and hub will have to come off in order to replace it? I suspect a wishbone is in the region of £150 and requires to be replaced in pairs. The ARB bushes were suppose to have been replaced a few days ago, but the dealer got sent the wrong bushes. Apparently its a pig of a job hence the £100 labour charge. As for poly bushes, I had them on the rear anti roll bar, they squeaked so bad I had to rip them off!! Here is a picture of the lower arm bush, you tell me what condition its in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted June 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Just read, its the split rubber is an MOT failure...so will have to be fixed before September. The question is do I replace the joint, or both wishbones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted June 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Ah, this may do the job! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FORD-MONDEO-MK3-ST22...93%3A1|294%3A50 What do you think the labour would be ok that? (hours) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 The ball joint allows the whole strut/knuckle assembly to turn. If the boot is split water and dirt will get in, eventually causing it to seize. Ford changed the design of the lower arms on the MK3 compared to the MK2 so chances are the bushes are ok and should last alot longer. Best way to check is get a bar in there and see how much movement you get, but yes best to replace in pairs. The ebay ball joint seems expensive to me, look around maybe as they should be the same for all models. I know what you mean about squeaky poly bushes, mine are going like that! If they fitted the wrong ones then surely they should change them or have they not fitted them yet? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted June 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 No they didn't fit them as they looked nothing like the ones that are on at the moment, which is strange as they ordered the parts via my reg... I would buy the ball joint from Ford anyway, the chances are that item on eBay is not genuine. But would we agree that the damaged boot looks very fresh? Is there any possibility that the garage who changed the wheel bearing two days ago are to blame? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Yes it looks fresh to me and the ball joint would need to come out to change the bearings so it could've been the garage. Probably used a ball joint splitter which would've caused the damage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted June 7, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 They bearings are hydraulically pressed in & out, I did not think the hub & ball joint had to be disconnected to do this? If you look carefully at the pictures, the nuts & bolts do not appear to be disturbed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 I think the hub has to come off to press them in, pretty sure it can't be done on the car. Someone will correct me if I'm wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted June 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 How difficult is it to change the ball joint? The blue allen key (bolt on the other side) attaches it to the hub, thats easy, but whats the story with the red circles? Is it a relatively easy job? Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 The ball joint on the arms are held on by rivets. You need to grind these off and then the new ball joint can be nut/bolted on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted June 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Ah right, better leave it to a garage then....how long do you think it will take to fit? Then I can figure out how much it will cost me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Should be less than an hour as it can be done with the arm on the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted June 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Thanks for your input mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 It could take longer because the bones need to be removed really. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted June 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 "bones"? Would a garage rivvet the new ball joint on or bolt it on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 "bones"? Would a garage rivvet the new ball joint on or bolt it on? "wishbones"...... The new joints would be bolted on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted June 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Should have figured that, I prefer the word "lower arm" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 It's only a couple of bolts holding them on so shouldn't be much longer. Obviously removing them is the safest way to avoid damaging the brakes and cv boots etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Should have figured that, I prefer the word "lower arm" I'm somewhat old school...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 10, 2009 Report Share Posted June 10, 2009 Should have figured that, I prefer the word "lower arm" I'm the same! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted June 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 Lads...are "Delphi" parts any good? Reason I ask is a wishbone from Ford is £160 or so, and a Delphi part is £40 from my local garage which would also fit it for £20. (Delphi ball joint is £10 but labour may be more). Opinions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted June 12, 2009 Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 IMO delphi are very good and I've read that they actually make the oem arms. But if you're replacing one side you should really do the other or you may get problems from having new bushes one side and old the other! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
littlebrownbike Posted June 12, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 12, 2009 Very good point, bloke at the garage said theres a strong chance Delphi make the original arms. Well you can see the condition of the bush on the previous page. I think its too good to throw away, so maybe £10 ball joint and 30 odd quid labour is the way to go. Can get the Anti roll bar bushes done too then an alignment & she'll be ready for another track day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.