Ford Scorpio Forum - Print Page


    
      
        Ford Scorpio Forum
        (https://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl)
      

        General >> Off Topic Subjects >> front suspension arms
        
(Message started by: NormanHall on May 28^th, 2010, 5:16am)

Title: front suspension arms
Post by NormanHall on May 28^th, 2010, 5:16am

To pass MoT my car needed two lower suspension arms as the ball joints were shot. Ford price now £175 each, picked two up from Selby for £30 from dismantler. Question is has anyone tried to refurbish these ?, seems a pretty straight forward task.

Title: Re: front suspension arms
Post by Simmo on May 28^th, 2010, 6:40am

We did have a member who was trying to source new components with a view to replacing the actual joint but nothing further has been heard. Tompion provided an old set for the work. I'm sure we would all be interested to hear of a successful 'mod'. Please let us know if you do have a go.

Title: Re: front suspension arms
Post by Scorpio_Mike on May 28^th, 2010, 8:13am

http://www.fordpartsuk.com/shop/c/scorpio_suspension_264/

£128.55 + VAT each now !

Title: Re: front suspension arms
Post by NormanHall on May 28^th, 2010, 8:39am

ford direct, with VAT and carriage is same as dealer price

Title: Re: front suspension arms
Post by Highlander on May 28^th, 2010, 10:36pm

Norman, here's what I did with it last year

http://www.fordscorpio.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=Advice;action=display;num=1257449108

I left the wishbone with a local factor and he was going to try and source a balljoint that would do the job but so far not heard anything, must go give him another prod ;)

Title: Re: front suspension arms
Post by NormanHall on May 29^th, 2010, 9:19am

http://i360.photobucket.com/albums/oo49/NormanHall/th_009.jpg (http://s360.photobucket.com/albums/oo49/NormanHall/?action=view&current=009.jpg)
I am suprised no one has done this before,
I sacrificed one arm and hacksawed and sectioned the ball joint in order to ensure that I had all the internals in one piece and understood the contents, then I set about to refurb the other.
1. Remove circlip from the rubber boot (small end) the large end shoud be left attached to the arm
2. Grind off the weld
3. Tap out the ball pin, with the cap and the yellow plastic cup
4. Clean up all parts,(a new rubber O ring inside will be needed as the OE will have gone hard and failed)
5. fit grease nipple to end cap
6. re-assemble all parts(any slack can be taken up by a steel washer between cap and yellow cup, the cup can be filed away to give correct clearance)
7.compress together with G clamp and reweld
8.Instantantly immerse in bucket of cold water.
The grey plastic insert is the culprit that wears, but even in the worst case there is sufficient material to work, and forever greasing should ensure the joint is OK.
A two penny piece of plastic means a spend od £175
about an hour in total to complete the job

Title: Re: front suspension arms
Post by NormanHall on May 29^th, 2010, 9:24am

Highlander, I just read your previous post after I posted mine, but your on the same wavelength, obviously I wouldnt repair for anyone else because of insurance liability, but for your own needs that is something else.

Title: Re: front suspension arms
Post by NormanHall on Jun 3^rd, 2010, 6:41am

Ive just taken the (new) arms off and fitted grease nipples, just taken one hour start to finish

Title: Re: front suspension arms
Post by gozz on Jun 3^rd, 2010, 8:25am

Norman.
Surely it's a bit dodgy welding in the vicinity of plastic,the originals are peened in rather than welded I think.This is not an attempt to thwart your efforts,full marks for having a go,however to me this is not the method.
GOZZ.

Title: Re: front suspension arms
Post by NormanHall on Jun 3^rd, 2010, 1:34pm

The ones that Ive seen are welded made by TRW, and the thickness of metal plus a dowse in cold water does not get anywhere near hot enough to melt the plastic. Fitting grease nipplesto good arms only requires drilling the end cap, tapping it and fitting grease nipples

Title: Re: front suspension arms
Post by Highlander on Jun 3^rd, 2010, 6:52pm

Norman,

I'm not understanding what you are doing to actually fix the worn joint, surely if the plastic were filed it would have to be exactly shaped otherwise the joint would still be "worn"

I enquired about fitting grease nipples a long time ago but was informed it wasn't worth it as once the joint is worn thats it, greasing would only lessen the movement of the ball but it would still be worn

Title: Re: front suspension arms
Post by NormanHall on Jun 3^rd, 2010, 10:10pm

The part that wears is the grey plastic insert, and even in a worn condition there is sufficient material to make contact with the pin, all that is happening in the worn condition is that the pin has up and down play between the grey plastic insert, and the yellow plastic bottom cup, removing the end cap and packing the void is the solution.

Title: Re: front suspension arms
Post by NormanHall on Jun 3^rd, 2010, 10:12pm

fitting grease nipples hopefully will prevent wear, as the wear occurs when the grease starts to act like grinding paste.

Title: Re: front suspension arms
Post by Highlander on Jun 3^rd, 2010, 10:32pm

But surely the balljoint will still move albeit slower?