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[Varche]

I have been getting a creaking from the front on low speed turning. Had the wheels off today and discovered N/S bottom ball joint on the hub has some play.

Two questions.

1. How safe is it to drive like that?

2. I presume the fix is a replacement wishbone.


If it is the latter then that is a big nail in its coffin as it would need setting up at WIM - 2000mile round trip. (no WIMs in Spain that I have found) Might just have to live with tyre wear.

[RobG]

I have been getting a creaking from the front on low speed turning. Had the wheels off today and discovered N/S bottom ball joint on the hub has some play.

Two questions.

1. How safe is it to drive like that?

2. I presume the fix is a replacement wishbone.

If it is the latter then that is a big nail in its coffin as it would need setting up at WIM - 2000mile round trip. (no WIMs in Spain that I have found) Might just have to live with tyre wear.

Nope. Get the lower balljoint on it`s own

[Varche]

Oh that is good news, cheered me up no end

Something like this ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Omega-94-04-LOWER-BALLJOINT-BALL-JOINT-/290553613941?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item43a6584e75

Do Europarts carry them in stock for over the counter sales?

[RobG]

Not sure Varche. Maybe a phone call

[joff]

what about the fixing to the wish bone as it looks like they have some kind of rivit fixing (need to get some for my spare set) :-/

[Varche]

I just went out to plus gas mine and discovered the same.

Do you drill them out and use some bolts??

[joff]

That fixing is there for a reason, but it must have been done so how :-?

[RobG]

That fixing is there for a reason, but it must have been done so how :-?

Replacement balljoints come with nuts/bolts. You drill the old rivets out

[Abiton]

I just went out to plus gas mine and discovered the same.

Do you drill them out and use some bolts??

Yes.  The rivets should have a little punch mark in them to indicate the centre of the required drill hole.
Haynes recommends a 12mm drill bit to remove the rivet head, but don't go all the way through the wishbone with this, you're just trying to drill the head off the rivet.
The remainder of the rivet should punch out OK once the head has been drilled off one side.

Some balljoint suppliers will include the 3 M8 bolts you need, with nyloc nuts to suit.  Haynes describes these as 'special bolts' so don't just use any old crap from B&Q!. Haynes also says these have to be fitted with the nuts facing downwards, not too sure why.  Torque is 35Nm.

[RobG]

I just went out to plus gas mine and discovered the same.

Do you drill them out and use some bolts??

Yes.  The rivets should have a little punch mark in them to indicate the centre of the required drill hole.
Haynes recommends a 12mm drill bit to remove the rivet head, but don't go all the way through the wishbone with this, you're just trying to drill the head off the rivet.
The remainder of the rivet should punch out OK once the head has been drilled off one side.

Some balljoint suppliers will include the 3 M8 bolts you need, with nyloc nuts to suit.  Haynes describes these as 'special bolts' so don't just use any old crap from B&Q!. Haynes also says these have to be fitted with the nuts facing downwards, not too sure why.  Torque is 35Nm.

In case they fall off

[joff]

Thanks for that Rob, looks like my spare pair will be good to go soon as i have found a very nice chap with a press for the rear bush with an over night return (he works at the same place as me) fronts are going to be poly which i have. So with your info i can now do the lot. Thanks

[feeutfo]

Careful measuring of camber prior to any work can give good results if the original setting is known to be recent and accurate. Socket method works well, backed up by a spirit level, as the guide. Toe can be adjusted line of site with the leading adge of the rear wheel.

Given enough time patience and fussyness it can be set fairly close. What's on your side is the strut bolts don't need touching, and the wishbone cAn stay put.

Although positioning of the knuckle/ball joint will be critical as the 3 bolt holes may be slotted(on some I've seen???)