Ball joint Vito 447

[Smithy860]

Morning all,

I’ve noticed some clunking for a while now on my front passenger side . I jacked it up this morning and got some play left to right. I took the wheel off and could feel it when I moved the disc in same direction.
Upon further inspection the ball joint has some movement and recreates the knocking sound.
The ball joint is riveted to the arm, do I grind them off and replace the joint or replace the entire arm? ( the other bushes look fine, no damage to boots)
Thanks all

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Morning all,

I’ve noticed some clunking for a while now on my front passenger side . I jacked it up this morning and got some play left to right. I took the wheel off and could feel it when I moved the disc in same direction.
Upon further inspection the ball joint has some movement and recreates the knocking sound.
The ball joint is riveted to the arm, do I grind them off and replace the joint or replace the entire arm? ( the other bushes look fine, no damage to boots)
Thanks all

Check to see if euro car parts etc supply ball joints , most just slide in and bolt up once those rivets are out.

 

[Smithy860]

Check to see if euro car parts etc supply ball joints , most just slide in and bolt up once those rivets are out.

Just had a look Thankyou. Seem easy enough to get the joint (£30 ish) I bet the hard part would be getting the rivets out, could that be done in situ?

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Just had a look Thankyou. Seem easy enough to get the joint (£30 ish) I bet the hard part would be getting the rivets out, could that be done in situ?

Just go in with a 3mm bit and then a 5,mm then an 8 mm . Hammer n chisel the rest off . Best done in situ tbh . Then pop the joint off .

 

[Smithy860]

Just go in with a 3mm bit and then a 5,mm then an 8 mm . Hammer n chisel the rest off . Best done in situ tbh . Then pop the joint off .

Sounds a good plan, I used to work on aircraft so I’m used to drilling bad rivets out

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Sounds a good plan, I used to work on aircraft so I’m used to drilling bad rivets out

I used to build aircraft too. Boy I miss those airfix kits.

Just watch the swarf dropping inside your sleeves . It burns .

 

[Smithy860]

Is there a torque amount for the 3 bolts do you happen to know?
My guess is not with them being rivets to start with, I couldn’t see for sure but the new nuts look like nylocs anyway

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Is there a torque amount for the 3 bolts do you happen to know?
My guess is not with them being rivets to start with, I couldn’t see for sure but the new nuts look like nylocs anyway

Tighten till they snap is my theory with most bolts .

 

[Smithy860]

Tighten till they snap is my theory with most bolts .

I like that theory

 

[ALFAitalia]

Tighten them until you strip the thread.... then back an eighth of a turn. Done.

 

[Smithy860]

My other option, given the van has done 90k and all looks original, is to just replace the arm.

Been looking looking at Delphi or maybe a Lemforder brand if I go that route. Might even do both sides and get it aligned, particularly as I’ve just put 4 tyres on.

 

[Smithy860]

Just to keep updated , I’ve ordered 2 new Lemforder control arms.
I noticed the meyle hd ones @140 each
But after too much research I felt the Lemforder ones were the choice (rightly or wrongly)
Lenforder @ £160 each.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Just to keep updated , I’ve ordered 2 new Lemforder control arms.
I noticed the meyle had ones @140 each
But after too much research I felt the Lemforder ones were the choice (rightly or wrongly)
Lenforder @ £160 each.

Good choice.

 

[Smithy860]

Ok so having young kids and life in general I have finally got around to this!
Did one side yesterday but struggled to get the bush with the vertical bolt in. The sway bar was more in the way than the hub. (Photo)
I did manage to get it close enough and use an allen key in the hole to let it over but was a job.
It struck me this morning, I had the full front jacked up so no weight on the sway bar hence it was in the way (too low)
Is that right do you think?