6 replies to this topic

[speedy19902006]

Had the Mini in for a full suspension set up about a month ago with negative camber tie rods, negative camber bottom arms, new KYB GAS A JUST shocks etc. It was professionally done by a very reputable Mini company. The car went for its MOT on Saturday and failed on offside and nearside excessive play in suspension arm ball joint my question is is there other ball joints on the suspension set up that would cause me to fail? do the top arms work on ball joints and or the radius arm? Or any other advice is welcome, Cheers Craig

Rover MINI Rio
1993
Excessive play in ball joint MOT failure

[lrostoke]

There are three balljoints on the front suspension on each side.

The ones top and bottom of the hub assy, These can be adjusted by use of shims, but may need replacing depending how bad.
The cup and ball that connects the trumpet to the top arm, The plastic cups wear out but a cup and ball is only a couple of quid

The rear is just a cup and ball on the radius arm to trumpet joint.same here plastic cups wear.

Edited by lrostoke, 28 February 2011 - 10:07 AM.

[speedy19902006]

Cheers for the reply would the suggestions you made show up as suspension arm ball joint has excessive play on the mot card? cheers

[lrostoke]

It's worth asking the MOT man to clarify, sometimes they use MOT speak which is confusing. We had one fail on steering locking device insecure, turned out be the nut holds the steering wheel on ??

[speedy19902006]

Spot on I will give them a ring its going back up the specialist tomorrow for them to have a look. Cheers for your help

[Dan]

Your specialist may have fitted new top and bottom ball joints and set them up perfectly but if they didn't lap them in then the joints can be expected to only last about this long before needing adjustment. The knuckles (plastic cup type joints) aren't really counted as ball joints (although that is what they are) and would never show up on the MOT as worn because they are always under spring load and so always appear tight. They are not subject to the MOT anyway. The only joints that would be tested are the top and bottom ball joints connecting the suspension arms to the hub and the steering track rod end. The rear suspension doesn't use any ball joints that would be tested.

[speedy19902006]

Your specialist may have fitted new top and bottom ball joints and set them up perfectly but if they didn't lap them in then the joints can be expected to only last about this long before needing adjustment. The knuckles (plastic cup type joints) aren't really counted as ball joints (although that is what they are) and would never show up on the MOT as worn because they are always under spring load and so always appear tight. They are not subject to the MOT anyway. The only joints that would be tested are the top and bottom ball joints connecting the suspension arms to the hub and the steering track rod end. The rear suspension doesn't use any ball joints that would be tested.

Spot on very useful info... thank you, its going in early tomorrow so i will be sure to report back, im still very pleased its the first MOT since i have had it and its done very well, just looking forward to getting it back on the road.