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Ball joints - where to buy quality ones
https://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=99703		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  rocky&bullwinkle [ Thu Feb 20, 2020 9:01 am ]
Post subject:  Ball joints - where to buy quality ones
G'day,

In the process of putting the front subframe back together and fitting the ball joints to the hubs. I bought a set of GSJ166 from Minispares and these are their own branded ones. When I fit them, they bind on quite a few places, mainly when you rotate around the edges. I've lapped them a bit (by hand) and they are a little better but not nice and smooth throughout all the travel. I've mucked around for ages with the shims and managed to get them pretty good when the shaft is in the straight up position. If I add shims so that the travel around the edges is ok, they are too loose in the straight up position. I've torqued them up as per the manual and as per the info on threads on here.

I'm thinking that maybe the no name joints might be a bit dodgy and I'd be better off buying a new set of branded quality ones. I see minisport have Unipart brand ones.

Do I keep lapping them in or will I wear off the hardening if I go too much?

Or should I buy a new set and if so, where do you blokes get yours from?

Thanks, Rocky
Author:  Bill B [ Thu Feb 20, 2020 10:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ball joints - where to buy quality ones
As you say, the quality of these ball joints has been commented on here. It is a worry.
EBay has this one with a well known bearing maker's label on it - but extremely expensive! And whether it is any 'better' is a guess.

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-Genuine ... #vi-ilComp

I haven't bought any for some time so cannot recommend anyone but Unipart supplied almost all the aftermarket kits in the days when they were reliable.
Lapping shouldn't wear away hardening as the pins should be tough all the way through to cope with the different loads on them and not just surface hardened which is intended to resist wear.
Author:  rocky&bullwinkle [ Thu Feb 20, 2020 11:59 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ball joints - where to buy quality ones
Thanks Bill, yep they are a bit dearer than others but may be worth it if they are well made. It's a bit of a job replacing them once everything is back on the car so I'd like to get them right 1st up.

I'll keep lapping them and see how I go. I'm doing it by hand so it's a slow process. Checking this morning, it's almost as though the nut or the part of the shaft that engages with the nut is out of round. The shaft can be very tight in one position but when you rotate the shaft (I've got them double nutted) you can find a free spot and it's nearly too loose. The top one is a bit worse then the bottom but neither is consistently nice and smooth.

It's a pity we can't buy decent stuff. Maybe the Unipart ones are worth a go. I checked and Karcraft ones are from minispares.
Author:  drmini in aust [ Thu Feb 20, 2020 12:19 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ball joints - where to buy quality ones
John Smidt had some NOS balljoint pins a while back, I have 4 on my car. Not sure he still has them.
I found Karcraft ones pretty good recently when I fitted to my son's Clubby.
I didn't need to lap them in.
Author:  winabbey [ Thu Feb 20, 2020 1:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ball joints - where to buy quality ones
drmini in aust wrote:
John Smidt had some NOS balljoint pins a while back, I have 4 on my car. Not sure he still has them.

He also had Rover branded sets but I see they are out of stock now at MKO.

https://minikingdomonline.com.au/produc ... ver-brand/
Author:  Bill B [ Thu Feb 20, 2020 2:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ball joints - where to buy quality ones
drmini in aust wrote:
John Smidt had some NOS balljoint pins a while back, I have 4 on my car. Not sure he still has them.


A friend was buying parts at the Mini King when they were at Milperra and the thing he remembers seeing was a 44 gallon drum filled to the top with just suspension pins - no sockets!
There must be some of those still around.
Author:  drmini in aust [ Thu Feb 20, 2020 3:31 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ball joints - where to buy quality ones
MKO is no longer John Smidt's stock.
He has left there.
People need to contact him directly.
John should be making an announcement soon.
Author:  Hinesy1275 [ Thu Feb 20, 2020 4:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ball joints - where to buy quality ones
One of John's solutions to any type of ball joint (old or new) was to place the 'pin' in a drill and lapp the socket with paste. This will give you consistent movement around the arc through your range of shim thicknesses.

F
Author:  rocky&bullwinkle [ Thu Feb 20, 2020 5:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ball joints - where to buy quality ones
I've found some NOS Rover ones online for about $135 a complete set. Do you reckon these would be worth a go?
Author:  winabbey [ Thu Feb 20, 2020 5:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ball joints - where to buy quality ones
rocky&bullwinkle wrote:
I've found some NOS Rover ones online for about $135 a complete set. Do you reckon these would be worth a go?

The MKO price was more than that for both sides so sound like a good deal.
Author:  Bill B [ Sat Feb 22, 2020 9:43 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ball joints - where to buy quality ones
Came across this similar topic from a few years ago. If it helps or confuses....

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=98074
Author:  Stibbsy [ Sun Feb 23, 2020 10:55 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Ball joints - where to buy quality ones
Speaking of MKO post John. Has anyone used them. Been waiting for well over 10 days for some ball joints and drive flange spacers. Can't seem to find a phone number to ring them.
Author:  drmini in aust [ Sun Feb 23, 2020 12:51 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ball joints - where to buy quality ones
PM sent.
Author:  rocky&bullwinkle [ Sun Feb 23, 2020 6:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ball joints - where to buy quality ones
On the MKO topic, I bought some stuff off them 2 weeks ago. I rang them on 02 4587 7807 to check stock level. Ordered and paid online in the morning and goods arrived next day.

On the ball joint side, I've shown a couple of older mechanics in town my joints and hub and they agree that something is not right and were both hesitant to lap them in with a drill using valve grinding paste. Maybe I've just got a dodgy one. So I'm going to buy a set of NOS Rover ones this week and see how I go.

Thanks for the link on the previous thread - I've checked the length of the spring and they're the same as the one ones.

Will let you know how I go later this week after I fit them.
Author:  Bubbacluby [ Thu Feb 27, 2020 10:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Ball joints - where to buy quality ones
On the topic of ball joints.
I have heard good things from the Japanese made joints.
Probably worth a shot.

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