122 replies to this topic

[I hate Brian]

Any tips on how to install these? I learnt that my typical deep sockets do not fit over these because of the sealing pin that holds the rubber dust cover firmly in place.

 

How would would torque these to the hub?

Has anyone fitted these yet as I'm interested

[Goacher65]

Did the group buy on these get any further info?

 

I'd be interested.

[IronmanG]

No. I emailed the guy in japan but the whole tax thing put me off going any further. And he wasnt forthcoming in a large batch discount

[RustyAutoCityE]

No. I emailed the guy in japan but the whole tax thing put me off going any further. And he wasnt forthcoming in a large batch discount

Thanks for asking the question, shame as it would have been nice to get some money off a set.

 

Still it could be that the seller doesn't have a large profit margin, so can't really drop the price.

 

I am still considering them down the line, I do not enjoy shimming them.

[sonscar]

Less than £200 for a set of four,bargain.Less than one month lease on a new car,half a service on my Kia.Steve..

[Tremelune]

I mean...What's your time worth? How often do you want to jack up the car, pull the wheels, pop the joints, clean everything out, shuffle around the shims, and regrease? Not to mention messing with your alignment and dealing with axle nut torque if you decide to pull the hub carriers off the car...Maybe introduce grit into your wheel bearings...

 

These things sound like free money to me.

[bartman]

I mean...What's your time worth? How often do you want to jack up the car, pull the wheels, pop the joints, clean everything out, shuffle around the shims, and regrease? Not to mention messing with your alignment and dealing with axle nut torque if you decide to pull the hub carriers off the car...Maybe introduce grit into your wheel bearings...

These things sound like free money to me.

Unless you are doing 6000+ miles a year then they don’t need to come apart. A grease every 1000 miles is plenty.

[Mini Manannán]

My standard ball joints have been on and untouched for 30,000+ miles getting greased every 3000 miles if I remember, I don't understand the fuss!

[mab01uk]

Seems odd that none of Britain's Mini parts suppliers have started offering these ball joints for sale.  I mean most of them sell an array of expensive stuff that no one really needs but these seem to be reasonably priced highly essential parts of good quality yet all they supply in this regard is cheap sub standard rubbish.

 

Somerford Mini sell high quality 'Valtain' Japanese Mini parts, maybe they would be interested?

 

Somerford Valtain Parts:-

https://www.somerfor...rder=7&page=130

 

eg. VALTAIN HEAVY DUTY TRACK ROD END £23.21 Inc VAT

http://www.somerford...oducts_id=16987

 

Also Mini-Machine are trade partners with Turtle Trading, Japan:-

http://online.m-mach...-services-links

Edited by mab01uk, 10 August 2020 - 12:32 PM.

[Dusky]

I mean...What's your time worth? How often do you want to jack up the car, pull the wheels, pop the joints, clean everything out, shuffle around the shims, and regrease? Not to mention messing with your alignment and dealing with axle nut torque if you decide to pull the hub carriers off the car...Maybe introduce grit into your wheel bearings...

These things sound like free money to me.

Never ever ever ever ever reshim them. Ever.

[paulrockliffe]

Got a set of these, started fitting them tonight, managed to bodge the old ones off with some mole grips, but I don't have the right socket or spanner to get the new ones torqued up without shagging them, so......

 

Just wanted to check a few things - Do they need the springs and grease under the pin?  What torque do you do them up to, how much does it matter if I'm not torquing up against the pin like a normal joint?

 

I'd have used the old ones for reference, but one was done up finger tight, one was welded on and the other two were somewhere in the middle.  

 

Does anyone know of a socket that's the right size and deep enough to take the pin?

Does anyone know of a socket that's the right size and deep enough to take the pin?

[GraemeC]

1.5” AF ball joint socket.

usually available in Halfords or from any Mini specialist 

[paulrockliffe]

Perfect, thanks!

[Spider]

I did use a socket on these for many years, but a little while back, went to an Open Ended - Ring Spanner and I find that a much better tool to use, though, you need to make your best guess on the Torque.

 

Torque on the Maintenance Free types is 60 - 70 ft / lb.

[paulrockliffe]

Not sure my best guess would be anywhere near right, so I've ordered a socket.