64 replies to this topic

[68+86auto]

Just found more maintenance free ones failed on a mini at 5000 miles.

 

Stock suspension height, stock 10" wheel and driven carefully.

[mykweb]

Just been reading thought this as about to swap the ball joins on my mini.

Was tempted to these sealed unit. But the general take from this is better is not always best.

[Midas Mk1]

Just found more maintenance free ones failed on a mini at 5000 miles.

Stock suspension height, stock 10" wheel and driven carefully.

I found loads of Minis in my last job with standard aftermarket ball joints that were scrap after minimal miles too..

Had a minispares set be worn out in 2k too, properly shimmed and lapped in.

Pinch of salt eh.

I’d fit the japanese sealed ball joints on any Mini I own, and I do the mileage. Obviously fitted correctly..

Edited by Midas Mk1, 23 May 2026 - 06:37 PM.

[68+86auto]

 

Just found more maintenance free ones failed on a mini at 5000 miles.

Stock suspension height, stock 10" wheel and driven carefully.

I found loads of Minis in my last job with standard aftermarket ball joints that were scrap after minimal miles too..

Had a minispares set be worn out in 2k too, properly shimmed and lapped in.

Pinch of salt eh.

I’d fit the japanese sealed ball joints on any Mini I own, and I do the mileage. Obviously fitted correctly..

 

 

One of the three minis I have fitted them to had obvious play within 300km. Maybe this was a manufacturing defect but the other two minis didn't last long enough either. One was less than 10,000km. They were only fitted because ONE original type neglected ball joint had slight play.

Edited by 68+86auto, 24 May 2026 - 09:25 AM.

[imack]

Probably the best long term solution is to track down some genuine nos Leyland or unipart items. They do crop up on Ebay from time to time.
I have a couple of spare British Leyland one tucked away for when the time comes, but I may never actually get to use them as the unipart one's I fitted in the 1980's are still going strong, they have around 50,000 miles on them.