If the balljoints on the Mini are continually developing play in them, could there be an underlying issue with something else in the front-end ? or, do ball joints require constant attention ?

I know it's not me stuffing them up, as I had a local Mini guy do them for me.

If they're new you should make sure the 'mini guy' lapped them in otherwise you will be constantly adjusting them.

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Starlet Conversion:
http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=15484

That reminds me, I must check mine, haven't done it in ages.

Thanks for the reminder.

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At Qld raceway last weekend we got talking to a guy that had bought some new ball joints from a well known Sydney Mini specialist.
He had a ball joint fail at speed causing a massive accident and the driver was very lucky to have suvived after hitting a tree.
These ball joints were cheap and made in China.
He later did some technical tests on theses ball joints and he found that they were made of a very poor quality steel and very brittle.
Be warned.

I have found that the few parts I have purchased lately are of sh1t quality.

- Tie rod ends
- ball joints
- steering rack

Really not the sort of things I want to have to be worrying about.

G'day everyone, this problem has been questioned a few times now, ie; poor quality
materials used for replacement suspension parts, so what is the answer as to where to purchase quality new parts ? Is there a particular brand or brands that are worthy of fitting so people are not worrying about this sort of problem ?
Colin.

These cheap crappy Chinese ball joints were packed in boxes of reputable companies. Remember that China recognises no copyrights.

Thankfully, genuine ones are still available ex-UK and I think some local suppliers

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I'm alright Jack- I got 6x NOS BMC factory ones last week.
They are for MY cars...

I wonder though- what recourse do we have after purchasing new shoddy parts that fail?
Is `3 months replacement warranty' (all many parts suppliers give) really good enough for suspension components? What if that guy at Qld raceway (or one of us, on the road) had died??
Who is liable here- the parts shop, the manufacturer, the mechanic, or nobody?

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

The underlying problem is that often parts that are represented as original aren't. I recently bought a clubman door lock from a vendor who insisted it was genuine. Came in a plain new plastic bag with no labels or brands and was different in the casting and hardware to the locks on the car so how can it possibly be genuine, particularly as uk cars use different locks?

The same goes for mechanical parts. If they are sold as genuine and don't come in a rover bag or NOS in leyland or another heritage firms packaging, what hope do we have.

Needless to say I am not getting further bits from him.

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Cheers
Alec
1275LS - July 78 - XNFAD18Y/102918

You say you have 6 Doc ,but did you get them local or from overseas ? I mean most people are going to pay the cheaper price for a product if there is a marked difference in price between the two , eg: same item, genuine one $100, aftermarket one $ 40, i know i've done it on some parts for my other cars.
The other thing i suppose that comes into it with suppliers is that they might not be able to afford to stock the dearer parts for too long against the cost of holding the cheaper parts because at the end of the day whilst they are moving their stock they are making some money from it.

PM sent.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

[quote="GT mowog]
Thankfully, genuine ones are still available ex-UK and I think some local suppliers [/quote]

I guess you are referring to these, GT -

http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx? ... NUINE%28do

The spring washers they supply don't look too robust to me, but I suppose you could always use nyloc 11/16" nuts (or thicker spring washers).

Saw a programme on TDTN last nite about Chinese meat ending up in Aussie meat pies. meanwhile, our best cuts of beef & lamb are exported. I think it is fair to say we are all pretty well f*cked.