Ball joints - Page 2

RobDorey · #21 11th December 2008, 16:03

Question for Peter;

In amongst your piccys is a swivel from from a BMW?
Is this from an E30?
I'm looking at the new wishbones from Marlin and talking to an engineering friend of mine, and we're looking at modifying them to accept a BMW swivel.
An E36 swivel is a huge affair which is rubber mounted with two big lugs at the bottom.
The one shown here looks like it would fit (after machining the arms).

Rob.

MartinClan · #22 11th December 2008, 16:07

I think there could be several interested people if you manage to use the E30 ball joints. I believe they are a press in type of fitting. Apparently Marlin used to use them but then changed to the Metro ones....

I am pretty sure there is a picture on Peter's Flickr site.

Robin

peterux · #23 13th December 2008, 13:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobDorey

Question for Peter;

In amongst your piccys is a swivel from from a BMW?
Is this from an E30?
I'm looking at the new wishbones from Marlin and talking to an engineering friend of mine, and we're looking at modifying them to accept a BMW swivel.
An E36 swivel is a huge affair which is rubber mounted with two big lugs at the bottom.
The one shown here looks like it would fit (after machining the arms).

Rob.

Hi Rob,
yes, it is an aftermarket part for a BMW e30. (There is a picture of it in this thread above)
I don't think BMW sell these separately as they come pressed into the control arm.
The fit in the upright will be perfect as I believe the metro joint is a bit of a compromise solution, albeit satisfactory so long as you use an equivalent to the original GS269 part.
I have a picture of a sportster built by Marlin that used these pressed in joints. Not sure whether they changed to the metro design due to availablity, reliability, price or something else. Terry is always reluctant to share such information to protect their sales.
I only have one of these joints but if you want it to experiment with, send me PM and i'm sure we can come to some arrangement on cost as I was going to put it back on fleebay sometime.(the rubber boot was only briefly and carefully removed for the photo)
Not sure if these joints all generally though?

let me know, thanks Peter

RobDorey · #24 13th December 2008, 19:47

Peter,

The biggest problem (my engineer friend told me) is holding the wishbone securely enough for it to be machined.
If I can come up with a solution to this I could, not only get a new bush made and welded in to fit an E36 joint, but it would be also possible to fit an E30 joint.

While I've been building my car, I've tried to incorporate as many unmodified donor parts as possible, instead of parts from other vehicles.
So far, I've used a BMW master cylinder, crushable steering joint, fuse box & wiring, fuel pump and fuel sender.

It would be nice to add BMW bottom swivels to the list.

Mike · #25 15th December 2008, 13:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobDorey

Peter,

While I've been building my car, I've tried to incorporate as many unmodified donor parts as possible, instead of parts from other vehicles.
So far, I've used a BMW master cylinder, crushable steering joint, fuse box & wiring, fuel pump and fuel sender.

It would be nice to add BMW bottom swivels to the list.

Rob

Do you have any photos of your use of the donor fuel pump - this is something I have toyed with the idea of doing - was it straight forward?
What did you do about a surge tank/pick up?
Mike

RobDorey · #26 15th December 2008, 19:46

If you're going to use the donor fuel pump & sender, the fuel tank needs a lot of modding.
I've a welder friend who did the job for me.

The height of the BMW unit is the same as the marlin tank which means that it would stick out through the boot floor.
To solve this I had a recess welded in with a sump which the pump sits in.
This had the effect of creating a swirl pot for the pump.

The sender works well with the Smiths fuel gauge I'm using, just the sender arm needs bending a bit.

Mike · #27 15th December 2008, 21:30

Thanks Rob
I have been considering having an additional sump welded on in the centre, picking up the line of the diff.
I will investigate this further now that I know it can be done.
Regards
Mike

peterux · #28 21st January 2012, 08:38

I think I'll move this discussion back into the 'generic' ball joint thread...

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterux

Hi Patrick,
did you get the Minispares supplied ball joints?
Any comments on quality and make, etc.
thanks
Peter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick

its on my to-do list, been busy with other stuff recently - that has reminded me to order some!

I've been looking around for some new ones as my top joints are perished and likely to fail the MOT this year.

I've seen First Line parts at £6.10 (inc VAT) which is the similar to Minispares at £6.00.
I also took a look at Rimmer Brothers. Their 'pattern' parts are £10.25 but Original Rover parts are a shocking £44.51 each!

I want some good quality ones, but not sure which to go for?
Anyone with other ideas?

Grey V8 Pete · #29 22nd January 2012, 21:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartinClan

Yep - I agree. I checked the ones that I bought from my motor factor (that don't fit) and they are QSJ1059 (80 - 84) The ones that fit (supplied by Marlin) are QS1060 (84 onwards)

So - at least I think we now know what the problem is. Just need to find a supplier that recognizes the difference!

Robin

I have an old Cabrio build manual obtained from Marlin Cars a long time ago (maybe 15 years?) when I was planning to build my own car. The top ball joints are shown as "Metro top ball joint Quinton Hazell No QSJ 1060 S". Hope this helps. Peter.

peterux · #30 23rd January 2012, 16:57

Thanks, Peter. That confirms Robin's info.

My challenge now is to find a quality part replacement.
QH still seem to exist, now owned by the the Klarius group?

I wrote to Minispares to ask who made their ball joints.
They said..." we have these made ourselves " ??

I've asked Rimmer Bros the same question but I have not had a reply yet.

peterux · #31 3rd February 2012, 20:03

I never did get a reply from Rimmer Bros so decided to get a set of 'genuine' QH ball joints.

Cheapest I found was from this place....http://www.wilcodirect.co.uk/

I've stripped down one side of the front suspension and the copper shim I fitted is in perfect condition and the taper had not come loose after ~3000 miles.
I have the same problem with the new QH ball joints where the lower joints taper is travelling to far inside the BMW strut hole.
(see picture in post #20 above)

I have not checked the upper joints yet..........

Patrick · #32 15th March 2012, 22:24

Going to try these, they are marked 84 onwards:

http://www.minispares.com/Product.as...d=34748&title=

These are the pre 84 ones so are wrong: http://www.minispares.com/Product.as...d=34514&title=

Will see what turns up

peterux · #33 16th March 2012, 08:37

I've not tried those ones, so it will be interesting to compare the quality and fit.
I would avoid any that are stamped with anything like BELL RN xxxxxxx on the base as from my experience these seem to be of variable quality and manufacturing tolerances.

BTW, I found you can carefully remove the rubber boot to do a trial fit of the ball joint taper in the axle to check the fit.
I'm now using QH ball joints that fit perfectly at the top but still require copper shims at the bottom.

...peter

peterux · #34 6th November 2012, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterux

Cheapest I found was from this place....http://www.wilcodirect.co.uk/

I bought 4 genuine Quinton Hazel ball joints from this supplier early this year and was very happy.
However, last week I ordered two further QH ball joints from this supplier (this time for my Sabre).
They sent one balljoint in an open QH box, no poly bag and the locknut missing and the other was made by a company called 'Falcon Vehicle Parts' who I have never heard off.(...which Google suggests is a dissolved UK company!)

Needless to say, I can't now recommend anyone uses this supplier.

peterux · #35 10th November 2012, 16:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by peterux

I bought 4 genuine Quinton Hazel ball joints from this supplier early this year and was very happy.
However, last week I ordered two further QH ball joints from this supplier (this time for my Sabre).
They sent one balljoint in an open QH box, no poly bag and the locknut missing and the other was made by a company called 'Falcon Vehicle Parts' who I have never heard off.(...which Google suggests is a dissolved UK company!)

Needless to say, I can't now recommend anyone uses this supplier.

They promised me two 'mint' new replacements that arrived today.
One of them had a greasy opened bag with rust on the threads and the lock washers missing.