2 different wishbones fitted

mdawnay

Hi Folks
11 plate Ford Focus failed NCT on worn ball joint . When I took the car to the garage they noticed that the front 2 wishbones are different , drivers side is an all in one piece and passenger side is 2 piece ( wishbone + ball joint ) . Now I checked the parts online and it looks like for my car there are 2 different wishbones you can get . The garage is can't understand why 2 different wishbones have been fitted and are a bit reluctant about replacing the worn one to match the drivers side in case it throws off the alignment or tracking . Any advice would be appreciated .

jca

Put a new ball joint in the passenger side assuming that's the side that failed, check tracking which must be done regardless of what wishbones were on the car and the job is done.

mdawnay

jca thanks for the reply . Quick question , do I replace it to match the one on drivers side which is different or replace it with a similar one to what is already there?

sundodger5

It may be different as such but the main dimensions must be correct if it fits the car.
It sounds like one has a removable ball joint and the other has it designed to be a throw away the whole wishbone.
Not sure which setup is the same as the original design though.

mdawnay

Thanks sundodger , that is exactly the way it is , 1 is all in one piece and other removable ball joint , I have checked online for the correct part and both seem to be available so just wondering which part should I replace it with , same as is on it now or match it with the drivers side ( passenger side is what failed )

sundodger5

As stated i sssume the dimensions are the same otherwise the steering geometry would be off.
Nice to have them the same unless a big difference in cost between full wishbone and just a ball joint.

mdawnay

Will have to check the dimensions but the all in one has a slight curve in it while the other is straighter , I am guessing they must be both ok as the tracking was done a few months ago and it was driving fine , also the NCT never mentioned it as a problem either only that the ball joint was worn

Squatman

Bring your car to a different Garage, it wont make any odds when the tracking is done, and The garage shouldnt be highlighting it as an issue

jca

If the side with the replaceable ball joint is the side that failed I'd get just the ball joint, get it fitted and the tracking checked, sorted. Nice cost saving just having to replace the ball joint as opposed to the whole arm, someone's done you a favour.