8 replies to this topic

[greensilver mini]

hiya what can worn knuckle joint at rear do how would you know if its worn? and is it easy to get the cone and hi-lo out when the radius arm has been droped?

[Tupers]

The most likely thing to happen with a worn knuckle joint would be for the suspension to drop due to the nylon cup wearing through. There may also be some knocking from the rear suspension as the car goes over bumps in the road.

Once you've removed the nut from the top of the shock it's easy to drop the arm and pull out the Hi Lo and cone. The hardest part is removing the remains of the nylon cup from the arm as sometime they need to be burnt out.

[Springfield01]

I expect it would make a clicking or clunking sound similar to a worn bronze bush on the radius arm itself. Depends how badly it's worn and if the boot is damaged or missing allowing water ingress. It's very easy to get the whole trumpet and cone assembly out once the radius arm is dropped, it will be necessary to remove the bottom damper from it's mounting to allow the radius arm to drop sufficiently. Support the wheel assembly with a jack before you do to avoid it dropping and causing damage to itself and/or any fingers etc in the way.Replacements are pretty cheap [minispares] but the nylon cup is a ******* to remove without destructive tactics and a lot of swearing, the new knuckle joint comes with one anyway. I've just replaced mine and it really is easy.and you don't need a cone compressor it just drops forward as you lower the radius arm.
Good luck
James

[greensilver mini]

ah so this could be the knocking sound when i drive over some drains in the road where it makes a single knock i know that side rubber thing wasnt on right and is now got load of dirt in so weekend job is to replace that knuckle joint.

[minimender]

The nylon cup will come out easier if you clear the little hole in the casting with a drill bit. This hole is to allow the new cup to seat properly by letting the air out as you push it in.
Hard to find as it will have rusted up but its in the centre where the cup fits.

[greensilver mini]

oh another thing whats best way to refit? the nylon cup then the knuckle joint then hi-low or do you need to fit to the hi-lo first?

[greensilver mini]

anyone? best way to refit?

[minimender]

anyone? best way to refit?

The joint should come as a unit with the ball in the cup and the rubber attached.

If you have cleared the place out in the arm that the cup fits into and drilled the hole out in the bottom then you can put the joint onto the trumpet / hi-low complete and guide the cup into the arm.

The weight of the car will drive it home if you have drilled the little hole out so as the air can escape.

This does't work easily every time and sometimes you will find it easier to fit the bits separately but its a pain getting the rubber to seal to go on at times.

Edited by minimender, 19 August 2011 - 12:31 PM.

[greensilver mini]

ah thank you