Ball Joint question

vicwatson

Is replacing a rear ball joint the same as replacing a rear suspension arm/rear wishbone??

Interslice

vicwatson wrote: »

Is replacing a rear ball joint the same as replacing a rear suspension arm/rear wishbone??

Yes and no . The balljoint is part of the wishbone. On some cars you can replace the bj seperately, others you can't. Chances are if the bj is worn the wb bushes aren't in great shape either. The bushes can normally be pressed out and replaced.

vicwatson

Sensible to get tracking done after replacement??

biko

Yes, this is usually always done when a suspension part is replaced as it will throw the tracking off.

Boxtroll

biko wrote: »

Yes, this is usually always done when a suspension part is replaced as it will throw the tracking off.

No it wont.

biko

Perhaps you can elaborate? But yes, it's not for every part of the suspension.

visual

What car is it

Boxtroll

biko wrote: »

Perhaps you can elaborate?

A ball joint is a constant.

CJhaughey

Boxtroll wrote: »

A ball joint is a constant.

Rubbish. As a balljoint wears in the socket, the angle changes due to load.
Replace the joint and the new part can throw the tracking out, not only from the difference in wear but also manufacturing tolerances stacking up.

Stoolbend

Boxtroll wrote: »

A ball joint is a constant.

Not if it's bolted on. Which a lot of joints are.

vicwatson

Guy in nct suggested I get alignment checked after the ball joint was replaced...

Boxtroll

CJhaughey wrote: »

Rubbish. As a balljoint wears in the socket, the angle changes due to load.
Replace the joint and the new part can throw the tracking out, not only from the difference in wear but also manufacturing tolerances stacking up.

You call my post rubbish and you pull out that beauty of a post above. The ball joint picture you got from Google and probably your opinion from if replaced like for like would only result in camber issues. Think about it.

CJhaughey

Boxtroll wrote: »

You call my post rubbish and you pull out that beauty of a post above. The ball joint picture you got from Google and probably your opinion from if replaced like for like would only result in camber issues. Think about it.

I am thinking about it, camber will be out for sure but unless the new ball joint is exactly the same dimensions with regard to pin to mounting bolt distances the tracking will change.
Like I said manufacturing tolerances stack.
You think every single balljoint manufactured has the same distances from kingpin to bolt hole?

Boxtroll

Manufacturing tolerances would be splitting hairs now in fairness, a very weak argument.

316

CJhaughey wrote: »

Rubbish. As a balljoint wears in the socket, the angle changes due to load.
Replace the joint and the new part can throw the tracking out, not only from the difference in wear but also manufacturing tolerances stacking up.

Your understanding of a ball joint is terrible. Are you of the thinking that if you track a car with a worn ball joint that when new part is fitted that tracking is out? If so do not track a car with worn parts.

CJhaughey

316 wrote: »

Your understanding of a ball joint is terrible. Are you of the thinking that if you track a car with a worn ball joint that when new part is fitted that tracking is out? If so do not track a car with worn parts.

I track my car usually twice a year, along the way parts will wear.
If you only ever tracked a car with new components it will soon break you.