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front ball joint replacement
Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 6:13 pm
by tezzer22
hi all my van has failed its mot today , play in front ball joint , I see that the mazdabongoshop sells the ball joint alone for £33 is this a diy job or do I need access to a press to do the job ? hope someone can help
THANKS
terry
Re: front ball joint replacement
Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 6:24 pm
by brorabongo
Till someone comes along shortly with better advice/know how, check these out....
http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... t&start=30
Re: front ball joint replacement
Posted: Mon May 23, 2011 9:27 pm
by Northern Bongolow
you dont need a press,but i used a sash clamp and a g clamp to assist.
check that the wishbone is good enough first as they rust from the inside and go weak.
if you get the old one hot using a gentle blowlamp,let it cool then squish/push the old one out carefully,it is a dooable job.
Re: front ball joint replacement
Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 9:30 am
by rita
Northern Bongolow wrote:you dont need a press,but i used a sash clamp and a g clamp to assist.
check that the wishbone is good enough first as they rust from the inside and go weak.
if you get the old one hot using a gentle blowlamp,let it cool then squish/push the old one out carefully,it is a dooable job.
Hi,I thought that would expand the joint and make it harder to remove,also I dont think you want to put heat near these old wishbones.
Cheers..
Re: front ball joint replacement
Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 10:07 am
by helen&tony
Hi Ady
Where did you get your ball joint?....I had mine replaced a year ago...knackered in 6-7000 KILOMETERS

...currently negotiating with a reputable supplier!
Cheers
Helen
Re: front ball joint replacement
Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 12:41 pm
by Northern Bongolow
pm sent helen.
Re: front ball joint replacement
Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 8:27 pm
by waycar8
helen&tony wrote:Hi Ady
Where did you get your ball joint?....I had mine replaced a year ago...knackered in 6-7000 KILOMETERS

...currently negotiating with a reputable supplier!
Cheers
Helen
Yep I replaced mine as they failed the mot last year, so replaced the ball joint and all was fine and dandy then this years mot 1 failed and 1 had excess play.........

, Havent bothered trying to get any money back thoe let me know how you get on Helen.
So replaced the whole wishbone this time for £150 a corner which were genuine mazda ones
Re: front ball joint replacement
Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 8:32 pm
by tezzer22
sounds like new wishbone then , waycar8 did you get your from a mazda dealer ?
Re: front ball joint replacement
Posted: Tue May 24, 2011 8:53 pm
by waycar8
tezzer22 wrote:sounds like new wishbone then , waycar8 did you get your from a mazda dealer ?
No my local motor factors, but bongo bits sell them and AVA leisure for about the same money (ava are cheaper by about a tenner) and are genuine mazda ones also
Re: front ball joint replacement
Posted: Wed May 25, 2011 3:53 am
by helen&tony
Hi Wayne
I seem to remember that we chatted about this last year when I bought mine from the same place as you...My joints were worn (same as my own bony ones,

)...replaced wishbone on driver's side, and the mechanic locally said why?...just replace the joint...so, passenger side had a new joint..now totally Knacked, so I have one on order from elsewhere. I can't necessarily blame the supplier we both used, as , to be fair, they supply many owners with good parts....BUT, there is a lesson....use genuine parts where possible...at the time we both replaced 'em, there were no genuine parts about.
One thing I will say, is to buy "Genuine" parts from a trusted supplier, as well....very often it is good to buy from a supplier who also has a long established workshop, and experience of fitting and maintaining....BECAUSE , there are a lot of branded goods out there made especially for the manufacturer/ Main dealerships , that are labelled "Made in the EU"...and with the expansion of the EU, that now includes areas of the old Eastern Bloc, where standards of manufacture and control leave a VERY LARGE lot to be desired...so, buy wisely...This also applies to Domestic goods.
Anyway, I'll post a result when the part arrives...at least labour is only 7.00 quid an hour, and I'm lucky to find a workshop that are efficient, dedicated and honest

....and they appear to know what they're doing
Cheers
Helen