suspension ball joint 190 2.5 16v

[Will]

Did my Transit in 5 minutes so would hope the 190 was as easy...

Ball joints or wheel alignment?

If the former, it's a bit of a different kettle of fish to a Transit joint. Not really a 5-minute job - certainly not without the correct tools (ie, a £££ hydraulic press). They're pressed in there under pretty immense pressure.

Will

 

[stats007]

Wishbones. Balljoints and hub bearings were pressed with a local firm for £50.

 

[Will]

Bolts are straight through on mine and the EPC doesn't list any variations in them? The bushes are sleeved so no room for alignment? Sure you don't mean the steering knuckle?

I *think* it's the bolts shown in this pic (Russian 'EPC' site back online)

See the bolt in the centre, looks like it's offset to me. Might not be noticable until you remove them, so I'd mark them first. You might still need an alignment at some stage, but at least it'll be broadly accurate.

Will

 

[garyoxenham]

Bolts are straight through on mine and the EPC doesn't list any variations in them? The bushes are sleeved so no room for alignment? Sure you don't mean the steering knuckle?

You are correct in saying the bushes are straight through or in a fixed position but the washers are definitly a "cam" type so they can work as an eccentric. After setting the wheel up by eye on mine it was still about 50mm out on the laser.

 

[Number_Cruncher]

>>lower it, let the suspension settle and then tighten?

That's usually the correct thing to do - it prevents there being wound in load in the suspension bushes which would cause them to fail early, and would probably inhibit them from working properly as barriers to sound and vibration from the wheel / road interface.

 

[stats007]

One bolt was completely corroded and 'as one' with the bush so needed to be cut through. The bolts are straight through with offset 'cam' washers that can move within the subframe as mentioned above. Quite a neat idea really! New bolt was £5.