Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - 01:33 pm, by: John Stafford(Johng12)
It is the ball joints. I just had a wheel alignment and they have play in them, causing wear on the inside of the front tyres, so have to do something about that straight away or my new tyres will be damaged. Does anyone know the answer short of new lower control arms. My bushes are still perfect (Vlamos rubber was done about 50,000 klms ago).
Anyone know one of those Ball joint restorer guys that put some kind of plastic substance in there?
Or some other alternative to $1500 lower arms? Thanks John
Michael Mockiewicz Goo Roo Victoria [2009-2011] JZZ30 | [2012-20XX] UZZ31
I'm also interested to hear if anyone has recommendations regarding restoration of the ball joints. I have heard of people having this done as well, though I'm curious of the results & longevity.
John, there is a US eBay seller which sells new OEM LCA's for around $1272 shipped. It's still a steep price to pay but an improvement over $1500. I am still considering them myself in the near future.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - 02:51 pm, by: Daniel Marshall(Ydass)
They can be replaced but currently im not doing this service as not keen on liability of remanufactured parts and were still sorting liability on them.i have a couple priorities to take care of before starting back at soarers later in year.but new lower control arms currently available for $300? non oem plus frieght .oem where only like $380-$450 plus frieght last i checked. Ive also located aftermarket ones which we will be selling for $200ea which we are currently trialing in a car over a 12month period so far 7months in no problems.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - 02:51 pm, by: John Stafford(Johng12)
Yes Michael, I just found that too. I am booked in in Toowoomba on Friday to get both sides done for $300 if I can't find an alternative before then. The guy can do them if you send the arms to him but I am driving there. His name is Ian 0746394555.
I am trying to contact Peter Taplin who I think can do them machining and putting another kind of Ball joint in?? But his old number does not reach him.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016 - 03:33 pm, by: John Stafford(Johng12)
Daniel, I don't suppose that you could short circuit that and let me have a couple. As I will be up for $300 for 2 and yours would be $400 (supposing that that is with bushes and all, what are the bushes like?) Cheers John
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 - 10:21 am, by: James Buchan(Jrbuch)
My ball-joints wore out. I replaced them with two second hand ones with good condition ball joints - then fitted the Branz bushes to them. Who knows how long they'll last.
I did price up new ones at the time, and I think it was around 1k, but I had to spend that money elsewhere and couldn't justify it.
John Stafford Goo Roo Qld. Soarer UZZ31 GT-L V8, 11 second XR6T
Wednesday, January 20, 2016 - 05:10 pm, by: John Stafford(Johng12)
I found Peter Taplin and talked to him about the ball joint job that he does. It costs about $450 per arm with new bushes and new ball joints. My bushes are good. Peter machines the ball joint out and has sourced a compatible ball joint that can be replaced when it wears out, so then you will have serviceable lower arms from then on. Great service but like James most will find some ok lower arms and just put bushes in them. I did this when I bought my 31 and the vlamos bushes cost me about $400 for both sides.
Anyway I have a spare set of lower arms that I was going to put in while I got my ball joints replaced but when I pulled one of the arms off the wear was not yet at the point where where there was free play in the joint, so have left it for now. Will check the other arm in time.
So not having found the reason for the noise in the front end I went ahead and replaced the sway bar bushes with a new set of Superpro bushes.
When I did these bushes up, which have more depth to them than the rubber ones that I took out, they went out of shape with the pressure. Can any one tell me if there is a spacer that goes under the saddle to stop this deforming of the bush? Or is this just what happens? I am afraid the the bushes will tear with this kind of squishing out at the sides of the saddle?
Saturday, January 23, 2016 - 08:00 pm, by: Damon Cornish(Boz)
Just a comment on Ricky's post. I have a set of figs rear lca's and toe rods. Can't comment yet on reliability as the car isn't back on the road yet but the service was good. Good communication and they posted the the gear when they said they would. When it turned up it looked solid was easy to fit and adjust. Nice to deal with a company where your expectations are actually meet. Pretty sure there are some photos on my build thread. Sorry can't help with the bush issue mine fit well. Cheers Damon
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