Front ball joint on 2WD?

[Blingo]

Good morning all! Please could someone tell me whether the 2 wheel drive Bongo has ball joints at the front? It failed the MOT, and it says on the form 'Nearside front lower Ball joint has excessive play'. I'm pretty sure only the 4 w.d. would have these at the front, but thought I'd just check here first before I phone the garage and make a fool of myself. I know the near side drop link needs doing, so maybe it's a 'mistake'.

On the positive side, she's sailed through the test for the last couple of years, so overall very pleased with her.

[Dabs]

Mine is a 2 wheel drive and I had the same one done last year so yes!!Mine wasnt an advisory I knew it was on its way out so I got it sorted!!

Dabs

[Blingo]

Blimey, that was quick Dabs, thanks! Do you mean 'yes' it's got ball joints at front, or yes it's the drop links? If it does have ball joints would they be on the steering rack? (Sorry for my confusion, I'm bad on a Monday).

[Dabs]

Blimey, that was quick Dabs, thanks! Do you mean 'yes' it's got ball joints at front, or yes it's the drop links? If it does have ball joints would they be on the steering rack? (Sorry for my confusion, I'm bad on a Monday).

Yes it has balljoints at the front and it also has droplinks,think Im correct in saying that the balljoints are located in the wishbones (here ends my mechanical lnowledge!! )

Kirsty.............where are ya??

Dabs

[Northern Bongolow]

hi, yes both the 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive have have ball joints fitted on the lower wish bone, turn the steering to full lock and look for the swivel at the outer edge on the wishbone,it is about 4 inches high 2 inch wide with a castleated nut and pin through,it fail under the rubber gatter have a quick look you may see damaged rubber etc

did one at home this weekend for a friend,can do if competant but easy to damage wisbone while pressing/heating

ady.

[Blingo]

Ahaaa! Found it! Thanks everyone, glad to know it exists. Can't say I can feel 'excessive play' in it though, whereas the droplink is well past it. Will ask the garage about it.

Cheers!

[dave_aber]

With 1/4 of a Bongo leaning on it, you won't be able to feel excessive play by hand - You need to give it a shove with a lever, or get the front end suspended. Even then it can take some shoving to feel it.

[Northern Bongolow]

if your doing the drop links at the same time please check the recent threads on here ,as there are good ones and not so good ones about,sorry dont know how to do link inserts,im only a junior!! just do droplink search and loads of kirstys stuff will come up.

ady

[Blingo]

Thanks for the info on droplinks, Northern Bongolow, I need to get that sorted once we've recovered from the expense of this. @ Dave_aber, think you're right - think I've noticed a slight wobble/clunk when doing hard & slow turning.

On the upside, just spoke to garage and they reckon they can source just the ball joint rather than replacing whole wishbone - should save a few quid. Also needs two end bits of exhaust. And a stop lamp bulb, thats the straw that breaks the camels back

[dandywarhol]

Thanks for the info on droplinks, Northern Bongolow, I need to get that sorted once we've recovered from the expense of this. @ Dave_aber, think you're right - think I've noticed a slight wobble/clunk when doing hard & slow turning.

On the upside, just spoke to garage and they reckon they can source just the ball joint rather than replacing whole wishbone - should save a few quid. Also needs two end bits of exhaust. And a stop lamp bulb, thats the straw that breaks the camels back

do a thorough check of the wishbone for corrosion - instances of bongo ones rotting through!