Ball Joints

[mikeyb13]

Got a front one to do. Imagine the first of many
Is the elise parts removal tool any good?
http://www.eliseparts.com/products/show ... oval-tool/
And where do the best ball joints? Any to avoid?

[CubanGav]

The tool worked fine for me.

Don't buy any unless you are sure they are genuine Elise spec because they wont fit right. I'd probably just go for elise parts/shop ones to be safe.

Be prepared for the massive bang when they come off

[jen]

Hey Mike, if you've been trying to call Alan, his mobile isn't working so he can't answer when it rings. He also can't see who is calling cos the screen doesn't work. (and he slags iPhones off )

Avoid at all costs ones from Dingbro. They don't fit properly as it should be a straight thread and dingbros are tapered. We discovered this the hard way. I'm sure the ones we bought were from Eliseparts.

[mikeyb13]

Thanks Gav. Yes Jen id txt him the other day but not about this. Will pm him.
Take it his hands a lot better judging by the amount of work he's done to the frog?

[woody]

Hey Mike, if you've been trying to call Alan, his mobile isn't working so he can't answer when it rings. He also can't see who is calling cos the screen doesn't work. (and he slags iPhones off )

Avoid at all costs ones from Dingbro. They don't fit properly as it should be a straight thread and dingbros are tapered. We discovered this the hard way. I'm sure the ones we bought were from Eliseparts.

Tapered thread? What was the brand? Just about to buy some, partco can only source me the one brand.

[robin]

You also get issues with some of them having a slightly increased OD of the main body which although you can press them in causes the ball to be pinched in the socket and the steering feels heavy if used at the front. Even Lotus had this issue and had to replace (or owners had to replace) the front four.

Unless in a rush it's worth just ordering them from Lotus or EliseParts/EliseShop where you hope they have vetted the parts to make sure they only get the good ones.

Cheers,
Robin

[Gourlay83]

Hey Mike, if you've been trying to call Alan, his mobile isn't working so he can't answer when it rings. He also can't see who is calling cos the screen doesn't work. (and he slags iPhones off )

Avoid at all costs ones from Dingbro. They don't fit properly as it should be a straight thread and dingbros are tapered. We discovered this the hard way. I'm sure the ones we bought were from Eliseparts.

Tapered thread? What was the brand? Just about to buy some, partco can only source me the one brand.

Jen's half right, its the machined taper before the the thread. Some don't match the Lotus hubs, as I found out the hard way. The nut will tighten but it doesn't sit on the taper properly and moves around, and not easy to spot when you fit them.

I'm with Robin, buy from Elise parts. At least you know what you're getting.

[mikeyb13]

Cheers guys. Stu160's offered assistance so Im sure he will keep me right

[foz01]

I still have your balljoint tool Alan, will drop it by of an evening now the lighter nights are coming in

Edited to say I could do with borrowing the EP tool as I couldn't get a standard one to work, and I need to relate about 3..

[campbell]

The EP tool could use longer (and better strength) adjuster bolts, so I acquired some and that helps ease the process and makes it less "single use" too

Welcome to borrow it Mikey, if you wish.

I also have a collection of balljoints, measured for front vs rear * and whilst you'd have to use them at your own risk, again you are welcome if you are in a hurry.


* - the correct ones are for the front, the slightly outsize (tight) ones are for the rear Thanks to Dan @ SPS for that tip, IIRC...

[mikeyb13]

Thanks for the offer. Dont think theres any rush??
No plans any track action in the near future and it passed an mot 3 weeks ago.
I diidnt even notice it till Stu said he could feel it under load at Spa speeds.

[tut]

I bought eight for N1 for a future re-fit, but they will now act as spares for N3.

Same with wishbone bushes, so at least they will not be wasted.

tut

[2F45T4U]

I bought the balljoint tool from Eliseparts a few months ago. I was disappointed by the build quality for the money. The female threads on the puller have been tapped at an angle off the square which made it a pig to get the bolts in when the puller was fully extended. I had to drill the clearence holes larger to make up for it. If i get another bit of plate i'll make a new one.

i would recommend it though. Saves having to take the wishbones off and sticking them in the press.

Re. balljoints, i cross referenced a part ages ago that was for a Chevette i think. part no: Delphi TC163. Its still fine after about 2k miles but i have started buying them from elise parts, normally to bulk an order up with consumables to make to the free postage.

if you're borrowing a puller from someone, id change a couple of balljoints in a oner. Once one goes the rest wont be far behind.

[Shug]

Yup, tis a Chevette (or something equally prosaic) part number, but just ordering on those part numbers can, as others have said, get you parts with wildly varying tolerances - sometimes from the same supplier, supposedly in the same batch.

Really the only way to be sure is order through one of the Elise specialist sites these days - as has been said, these are sourced specifically for the Elise tolerances.