12 replies to this topic

[Rickybobby]

Looking at pulling the bones off, getting them stripped and coated and put back together with all new joints and bushes.
What’s been used in the past to press the ball joints out and back in again?
I don’t have access to a press so looking for ghetto suggestions on tooling etc.

[sford]

Ball joint tools work but the ones I used were all second hand and I think I broke a couple. Had to repair them to finish things. If you're going to the effort of removing the ball joints, I'd get new.

 

Be careful when putting it all back together as some of the tools contact the wishbone if you aren't careful and you may damage your lovely new wishbones. I ground a groove in the edge so it didn't impact to be sure. 

 

While you have it apart you may as well go:

 

New ball joints

New bearings

New bushes

Uprated anti-roll bar

New hub carrier bolts

New tie rods

New bolt set

Suspension (if not already done)

ABS mount and bobbins

 

 

Watch out as it can spiral out of control. One of the best jobs I have done on the VX and I found the whole process really enjoyable, putting all new parts back on. Factor in that you will need a geo as well. In fact, I'm contemplating replacing my bushes with some of the bearings as I think they'll make it even nicer to drive and all the feedback from users of cars like it say it is no more harsh. 

 

Edit: Sorry, misread that as you were going to re-use bushes. All the other stuff still applies. 

Edited by sford, 14 February 2019 - 04:38 PM.

[Rickybobby]

Thank you for the comprehensive reply!
Ball joint tool on order:-)
Not considered bearing before in a road car, will look in to them a bit deeper.

[hairy]

These worth readfing if you havent already:

 

http://www.tadts.com...ons/suspension/

 

https://wiki.seloc.o...ge_a_ball_joint

[sford]

HPE do a nice bearing set or you have Nitron/EP as well. 

 

http://www.hpeauto.c...one-bearing-kit

[Madmitch]

Bear in mind that whilst powder coating looks lovely when new, corrosion can take place underneath it where it is out of sight and by the time it is discovered the damage is done.  Better to zinc plate and passivate or hot zinc dip, the first looks better the second lasts better, both are better than powder coating IMHO. 

[Ormes]

I am still at a total loss as to what to do!

 

So far I've had them blasted and zinc electroplated.

 

Was originally going to power coat... now ruled out for a few reasons.

 

Then I was going to get a car restorer to paint them for me... they use normal 2 pack for this type of work, which I am not necessarily convinced on, and also fear I will ruin the paint when pressing in the bushes etc.  I think I have found a way to get the bushes in without damaging the paint, but no idea how I'd do the ball joint in this way.

 

Options now:

Give to the restorer to paint, but with the balljoints already in.

 

Don't bother, just put it back together as is.

 

Paint them myself with something.

 

Been looking into rustoleum products and found a few that they use on JBCs and Oil rigs etc... 

 

 

 

[Madmitch]

So now get the wishbones passivated and job done!  If you want to go further you could apply a coat or two of zinc rich paint and that would give you as good protection as you are likely to get on steel and none of the aggro of reaming out hot dip zinc from places where there is no room for it.

[The Batman]

i think you are thinking way too much about this

[Ormes]

Probably

[chris_uk]

give me a shout for the ball joints etc, i can save £5 each over EP for the same ball joint. 

[Ormes]

Going to give rustoleum hard hat a go I think.

[james.a]

One of the best and most enjoyable jobs I’ve done on my car. Poly bushes all round and powder coated everything. Will happily send pics if you dm me as I can’t upload pictures.