Suspension Ball Joint Inspection
Before the process of checking the ball joint for wear, there are two important items to iden
1) Firstly it has to beSUSPENSION established whether the ball joint is Load Carrying or Locating. F path. 2) Is it a Friction or Spring Loaded type, usually using a “Bellville” type tensioner, or is it an “Encapsulated” type of ball joint, this type, generally is not fitted with a g 17/10
BALL JOINT INSPECTION
Suspension Ball Joint Inspection SHOCK ABSORBER, SUSPENSION, BRAKES, TOWBARS AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIALISTS
Before the process of checking the ball joint for wear, there are two important items to identify:
BALL JOINT INSPECTION
1) Firstly it has to be established whether the ball joint is Load Carrying or Locating. Follow the weight path. 1. Firstly it has to be established whether the ball joint is Load Carrying or Locating by following the weight path. 2) Is it a Friction or Spring Loaded type, usually using a “Bellville” type tensioner, 2. Is it a (a) Friction or Spring Loaded type, usually using a “Bellville” type tensioner, or is it an or is it an “Encapsulated” type of ball joint, this type, generally is not fitted with a grease nipple. Before the process of checking the ball joint for wear, there are two important items to identify:
(b)“Encapsulated” type of ball joint, this type, generally is not fitted with a grease nipple. (a) Spring Loaded/Friction Ball Joint
(b) Encapsulated Ball Joint
When identifying what is the “Loaded” or “Locating” joint, firstly you have to look at whe mounted within the suspension. Is the coil spring sitting on the lower or upper arm. Is the T no Grease attached to the upper or lower arm. In the caseUsually of a has “Strut” typeNipple suspension (whether Chapm Grease Nipple Fitted McPherson), the load bearing area is the top mount and the lower ball joint will be of the lo
When identifying what is the “Loaded” or “Locating” joint, firstly you have to look at where the spring is mounted within the suspension. Is the coil spring sitting When identifying what is the “Loaded” or “Locating” joint, firstly you have to look at where the spring is on the lower or upper arm. Is the Torsion bar attached to mounted within the suspension. Is the coil spring sitting onwith the or upper Is the Torsionthan bar a front theend upper or lower lower arm. A front a torsion bar,arm. is no different
attached to the upper or lower arm. In the case of a “Strut” type suspension (whether Chapman In the case a “Strut” suspension (whetheror coils springs, it ofstill has atype “weight path”. or McPherson), area is the McPherson), the load bearing area is the top mount Chapman and the lower ball joint the willload be bearing of the locating type.
e
top mount and the lower ball joint will be of the locating
If the bar type.is attached to the lower arm, the load is transmitte wheel Athrough ball to the lower control arm front endthe withlower a torsion bar, joint is no different than a front A front end with a torsion bar, is coils no different front end fitted end fitted with springs, itthan still ahas a “weight path”.with lower inner bush to the bar. If the torsion bar is attached to coils springs, it stillIfhas “weight path”. theabar is attached to the lower arm, the load is arm, then the weight path is from the wheel through the stu transmitted from the wheel through the lower ball joint If the bar is attached tothe the lower arm, the through loadinner is transmitted from the lower control thebush lowerthrough inner bush upper to ball joint to the arm, upper to the bar.
to the ball bar. Ifjoint the torsion bar is attached to thethrough upper the wheel through the lower to the lower control arm, arm, then the weight path is from the wheel through the lower inner bush to stub the bar. If the torsion barjoint is attached to upper To check the thethe weight axle ball to thejoint upperfor ballmovement, to the upper inner bush has to be arm, then theon weight pathmounted istofrom thebar wheel stub axle to the through the bar. a lower thethrough jack isthe placed under the L.C.A. upper ball joint to the upper inner bush through to the bar. To check the ball joint for movement, the weight has
mounted to the upper arm, the jack is placed under the cros to be removed, so on a lower mounted bar the jack cases wheel off the ground To check theboth ball joint forthe movement, the weight has be removed, sorelease t is placed under theneeds L.C.A. Ifto thebe bar isto mounted to the to arm, theisjack is placed under the crossIfmember. on a lower mountedupper bar the jack placed under the L.C.A. the bar is In both cases the wheel needs to be off the ground to mounted to the upper arm, the jack is placed under the cross member. In release the load. both cases the wheel needs to be off the ground to release the load.
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SUSPENSION
BALL JOINT INSPECTION 17/10 SHOCK ABSORBER, SUSPENSION, BRAKES, TOWBARS AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIALISTS
DOUBLE CONTROL ARM SUSPENSION
A double control arm the “loade is the upper. To release the load from the ball joint, place the lifting device under the lower arm and raise the wheel enough to control arm A double check for movement both vertically and laterally in both the upper and lower ball joints. To release fro lower arm, the the load “loade You also have the ability to check the upper inner pivot bushes and mounts, as well as the wheel bearings for any lower arm and raise th is the upper. movement. vertically and laterally To release the load fro You loweralso armhave and the raiseabith mounts, as well as the vertically and laterally A double control arm suspension, with a coil spring mounted on the lower arm, the “loaded” ball joint islower the lower arm, and the locating ball joint is the upper.
You also have the abi A mounted mounts, as wellon asthe the A double double control control arm arm suspension, suspension, with with aa coil coil spring spring mounted on the lower lower arm, arm, the the “loaded” “loaded” ball ball joint joint is is the the lower lower and and the the locating locating ball ball jo jo is the upper. is the upper.
To To release release the the load load from from the the ball ball joint, joint, place place the the lifting lifting device device under under lower arm and raise the wheel enough to check for movement both and raise enough to check both This type of front suspension, the spring is mountedlower on thearm top control arm,the sowheel therefore the loaded ball for jointmovement is the This type of front su and laterally in both the upper and lower ball joints. upper and the lower ball joint is the locating one. vertically vertically and laterally in both the upper and lower ball joints.
therefore the loaded
The placement of the lifting device is very important, because it is different than the other types of front ends. It is to one. also ability bushes You also have have the ability to to check check the the upper upper inner inner pivot pivot bushes be placed under the cross member and raised, to letYou the control armthe droop.
and and
This type of front su mounts, as well as the wheel bearings for any movement. asarm the and wheel forthe any movement. The of th To obtain a more accurate result, a spacer is placed mounts, between as thewell upper thebearings rail to keep control arm placement as therefore the loaded level as possible, to keep the ball joint in it’s normal operating position. This will release any load on the ballthe joints other types of fr one. and wear will be detected when moving the wheel, laterally or vertically.
It is to be placed un The placement of th the other types of ac fr To obtain a more
the rail to keep the c It is to be placed un normal operating po To obtain a more ac This will release an This type of front suspension, the spring is mounted on the control, keep the c This type of front suspension, the spring is mountedthe onrail thetotop top control, moving the wheel, Spacerball therefore the upper upper and and the the lower lower ball joint is is th th normalball operating po therefore the the loaded loaded ball joint joint is is the joint one. one. This will release an The placement of the lifting device is very important, because is moving the it The placement of the lifting device is very important, because itwheel, is diff diff the other types of front ends. the other types of front ends. Spacer
It It is is to to be be placed placed under under the the cross cross member member and and raised, raised, to to let let the the control control aa
Spacer Spacer
To To obtain obtain aa more more accurate accurate result, result, aa spacer spacer is is placed placed between between the the upper upper the rail to keep the control arm as level as possible, to keep the ball the rail to keep the control arm as level as possible, to keep the ball joi joi normal operating operating position. position. normal
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This This will will release release any any load load on on the the ball ball joints joints and and wear wear will will be be detected detected w w moving the wheel, laterally or vertically.
SUSPENSION
BALL JOINT INSPECTION
Strut type weight be
17/10 SHOCK ABSORBER, SUSPENSION, BRAKES, TOWBARS AND WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIALISTS
STRUT TYPE SUSPENSION Whether they are McPherson or Chapman design, the weight bearing area, is the upper mount where it attaches to the body.
The lowe
Place the place the one side
The lower ball joint is a locating ball joint. Place the lifting device under the cross member and raise the vehicle. You Once aga can place the lifting device under the side of the car, using the jacking points, to raise one side at a time. control a
Once again, to obtain a more accurate result, it is preferable to have the lower Strut control armsuspension, as close as possible its are Mc type whetherto they To check normal operating angle. To check for vertical movement, place a leverage bar between the tyre and the hard surface. weight bearing area, is the upper mount whe Using light force on the leverage bar move it up and down while looking at the ball joint checking for movement. hard surf
looking Also check for lateral movement, which should be zero. With the suspension strut to the lower arm,ball Theattached lower ball joint is acontrol locating joint. a the weight path follows from the mount to the spring, to the strut, then to the lower control arm through the lower Also che ball joint to the wheel.
Place the lifting device under the cross mem the
The raising point is at the lower mount on the control arm, when the wheel is raised, for any vertical movement place check the lifting device under the side of using a lever under the wheel and using the wheel for leverage, check for any lateral movement. As most modern onefor side at a time. vehicles are fitted with the encapsulated design ball joints, there is zero tolerance movement.
Once again, to obtain a more accurateWith resultt control arm as close as possible to its norma Strut type suspension, whether they are McPherson or Chapman design, thepath fo weight bearing area, is the upper mount attaches tomovement, the body. placecontro Towhere checkitfor vertical a lev
hard surface. Using light force on the The levera ra The lower ball joint is a locating ball joint. looking at the ball joint checking for movem wheel wheel Place the lifting device under the cross member and raise the vehicle. You can Also check for lateral movement, which sho place the lifting device under the side of the car, using the jacking points, to raise As mo one side at a time. joints, Once again, to obtain a more accurate result, it is preferable to have the lower Important Points to remember: control arm as close as possible to its normal operatingPoints angle. to remember: Important
With the suspension strut attached to t To check for vertical movement, place apath leverage between the tyre and the follows fromthe the“Loaded” mount toand the spr bar Identify “Loc • Raise the vehicle to release the weight on the “loaded” ball joint. hard surface. Using light force on the leverage bar Raise move it up and while through the down lower ball the joinw the vehicle to release • Try to keep the working attitude of the ball joint in the same position when the control vehicle isarm raised. • Identify the “Loaded” and “Locating” Ball Joint.
looking at the ball joint checking for movement.
Try toand keep • On an encapsulated ball joint, there is zero tolerance for movement, both laterally and vertically arethe notworking attitude The raising point is at the lower mount On an encapsulated ball joint, th generally fitted with a grease nipple.
Also check for lateral movement, whichwheel shouldisberaised, zero. check for any vertical
not generally • On a locating ball joint, they can be a “Friction” or a spring loaded ball joint, there may be aare minimal amount offitted with a gr wheel and using the for leverage vertical movement, (1 to 4mm) but NO lateral free play movement. On a locatingwheel ball joint, they can
amount of vertical movement, ( • Worn Ball Joints will have an effect on the geometry of the front end and inturn cause unstable steering because Ascreate most modern vehicles are fittedanwit of the changing geometry angles including the “Toe” measurement. This will also premature wearing of the Worn Ball Joints will have ef tyres. joints, there is zero tolerance for move
because of the changing geomet With the suspension strut attached to the lower control arm, the weight premature wearing of the tyres. path follows from the mount to the spring, to the strut, then to the lower Every time a ball joint has been Important Points the to remember: control arm through lower ball joint to the wheel.
• Every time a ball joint has been fitted to the car, a wheel alignment is required.
Straight advice, specialists you understand and... Identify the “Loaded” and “Locating” Ball Joint.
The raising point is at the lower mount on the control arm, when the Raise the vehicle to release weight onusing the “loaded” ball joint wheelis raised, check for any verticalthe movement a lever under the