12 replies to this topic

[oakrichardson]

Hi,

 

Purchased some metro 4 pots with everything included, the hubs had new ball joints fitted, but two of the nuts have gone walkabout. I thought they were a standard thread, so didn't think much of it, took one of the nuts with me to a local nuts and bolts place, but turns out that the ball joints are after market part with an odd thread that they did not stock. I'm told the thread is metric but its not standard pitch, would anyone know what thread they would be?

 

kind regards

Oak

[Noah]

Are they metro ball joints or Mini ones? 

[oakrichardson]

i believe they are metro

[richw911]

i believe they are metro

Dont use metro hubs on a mini - the geometry is wrong.....

[oakrichardson]

yes i have heard that, running fully adjustable tie rods and bottom arms. im not worried about that at the moment anyway, and having read many discussions on it really don't want to start another! just wanting to get it rolling. 

[Spud_133]

If it is simply to push the car around, I wouldn't bother fitting the bottom ball joint nuts, as they won't fall out with the weight of the car on them. You will just need to ensure they stay located if you have to jack the car up, and remember they aren't fitted before you drive anywhere. Possibly put a note in front of the dials like I did before I got a chance to put engine oil in my new engine.

Unless you mean the nuts which hold the balls into the hub then scrap the above.

[oakrichardson]

I should have explained better, by rolling I meant drive able! I am only short of these nuts and then it can be driven again, so was hoping someone may know the thread

[tiger99]

If the thread is not an industry standard, i.e. UNF (Mini) or Metric Coarse (Metro) the ball joints are almost certainly countefeit parts of Chinese origin, and due to the severe safety implications it is advisable not to even think about using them on the road. One of the more obvious giveaways of bogus parts is actually wrong screw threads, and they have been observed on lots of parts, not just for cars.

 

Also, I think you have misunderstood the implications of using Metro hubs on the Mini. You can not correct the geometry by using adjustable suspension, as whatever you do, the scrub radius and KPI remain wrong, and they are downright dangerous. In the event of an accident, you would find that your insurance was void. You should not use those hubs on the road. Keep your 4 pots, and look for a suitable set of Mini hubs.

[oakrichardson]

Hi, the mini is a grasser so won't be used on the road, I only asked to get it to a stage were I can drive it in and out of my workshop anyway, I have heard all the stuff about metro hubs on a mini, and when the time and funds are right they will be swapped, but until then I was hoping someone may be able to point me toward the correct thread!

[adam_93rio]

Metro hubs can work on a mini with the geometry correct if you're smart enough to work it out, which not a lot of people shouting about metro hubs not working would understand

[tiger99]

So, as you profess to be smart, how do you get the correct scrub radius, without using wheel spacers or wheels with an abnormal offset?

[JustSteve]

If the thread is not an industry standard, i.e. UNF (Mini) or Metric Coarse (Metro) the ball joints are almost certainly countefeit parts of Chinese origin, and due to the severe safety implications it is advisable not to even think about using them on the road. 

 

 

, I can name a several large mini companies selling products with strange threads    I sent several hours looking for a nut the other week for my TRE's. I checked against guages, checked in the cave of ''old nuts and bolts'' and worked out the TPI, but neither zeus of google  knew what I was looking for! I realised I'd have to buy a new pair of TRE's. There's no chance they were a 'proper' thread! 

I tried boxes full of nuts

[Ethel]

I think the thread changed along with the taper angle, in about 1985. The taper is a bigger concern, you want GSJ268 if you're using Metro hubs in Mini arms.