Friday, June 15, 2012 - 04:13 pm, by: James Tims(Timzy)
Hi guys,
Took my soarer to the tyre man today to get new tyres, anyway he said he couldn't align it because there was no point seeing as the upper and lower ball joints on the passenger side were needing to be replaced which he said any mechanic should be able to do. I just want to know what sort of work is involved and what the part numbers are that I'll need. I replaced my front lower control arms a while back with Vlamhos bushes so there shouldn't be any replacing needed there.
Help a brother out so I can know what this guy is on about.
Friday, June 15, 2012 - 10:15 pm, by: James Tims(Timzy)
Cheers Paul, I've always been bad at finding these parts no matter how easy it may be haha So Paul quick question I want this confirmed, can I use the Supra front lower control arms? and can I only just replace the ball joints or must I replace the whole lot?
Saturday, June 16, 2012 - 01:09 pm, by: Dan McColl(Hoon)
SC400, Z30 Soarer and A80 Supra share the same arms.
Exceptions: A80 have different bushes as mentioned above. The UZZ31 has an extra bracket for the height sensor and the UZZ32 has a totally different arm which is not compatible with anything else.
The Balljoints in these arms are not replaceable to my knowledge.
You can find a used arm with good ball joints, and have the Vlamos bushes fitted to it, or buy new arms.
Check clublexus and whatnot as well. Stuff is available cheap ex USA and shipping isn't that much.
Monday, June 18, 2012 - 06:53 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Michael Fuhrmann wrote on Saturday, June 16, 2012 - 01:32 pm:
you need to replace the entire control arm if the ball joints are worn ?
Pretty normal in modern cars. Actually I can't recall a car I've worked on in the last 10 years that has had a replaceable balljoint. Upside is they last a lot longer than the old serviceable kind, and don't require any maintenance.
Monday, June 18, 2012 - 11:00 am, by: Blake Gloyn(Blakenz)
I recently replaced a lower arm(due to failed ball joint) on a friend's soarer, and the garage sent the ailing one away to an authorised repair place, and it came back a week or so later with a new ball joint properly installed. Legal in NZ, I'm told.
Monday, June 18, 2012 - 11:04 am, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Yup, some cleaver people have come up with ways of refurbishing them - but they aren't designed for it - no idea how successful the refurbishes are in the longer term.
Monday, June 18, 2012 - 06:43 pm, by: Michael Fuhrmann(Tha_new_dude)
Dunno about lasting longer, maybe longer than the older jap stuff ? Im used to working on older 30+ yo holden/fords and most of which have had the factory ball joints still in great condition, its easy to tell if they're the originals as they're riveted in and dont have grease nipples.
I have never had to replace one because it was worn out (not saying they dont wear out)though i usually change them anyway when doing the bushes as i like to strip the suspension arms ect and have them powder coated.
I know i have at least 1 worn joint in my soarer because i can hear it knocking just like the worn one in my 2007 hiace
Tuesday, June 19, 2012 - 12:15 pm, by: Matthew Sharpe(Madmatt)
Usually if the dust boots don't get compromised, they will more or less last forever. Of course the dust boots are rubber and will perish eventually - and the joint will flog out very quickly thereafter.
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