Defender A frame ball joint

[Rannsachair]

Next months job, worth spending the extra on:

Current one only 6 years old and knocking, I do quite like Gwyn Lewis parts, use his wide angle heavy duty propshafts with bigger UJ's.

 

[Robotstar5]

Hope it comes out OK, I,ve had some easy ones and others put up fight, access isn't the best either.

 

[reb78]

I bought one of Gwyns. Must have been on for 10+ years and in use for 6 or more years. Thing with him is if something isn't right, he fixes it for you - whether replacement or advice etc.

 

[winchman]

Any top tips for changing these? How do you detect the play? Could be one of the clunks on Winchboys Defender

 

[reb78]

Check for play with a crowbar. The ball should be snug in its socket so shouldn't rattle around. When I took mine off it was looser than a loose thing.

I cheated with the replacement and bought one in a bracket already from Gwyn.

I press should be fine to change it though.

 

[Rannsachair]

Any top tips for changing these? How do you detect the play? Could be one of the clunks on Winchboys Defender

As @reb78 s reply plus you get a knock when you take up drive, despite good UJ's and half shafts.

 

[willie.macleod]

In general I'd say buy the ball joint with the bracket if you value your time unless you have a decent 20T+ press. Also worth buying the 2 long bolts and nuts that hold the bracket to the arms as they can seize inside the bracket quite badly. Although if yours is only 6 years old it should come apart relatively easily!

 

[lotus_esprit_s1]

I had a 12 ton press and out of the probably fifty plus I’ve changed, only one needed more, I upgraded to 30th and no problems.

Older ones use BSF bolts

There is a special press tool for fitting them which makes life much easier

 

[Rannsachair]

Decided to make it as easy as possible, arrived today: Lemforder greasable ball joint

 

[Smallfry]

You have chickened out of the best part on the job, trying to press the balljoint from the housing !

I did one years ago with Winston, our works 50 ton Churchill press. When it finally let go, was like a gunshot. Everyone in the workshop jumped. Balljoint hit the floor and bounced. If it had hit ones foot, it would have hurt. A lot.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

You have chickened out of the best part on the job, trying to press the balljoint from the housing !

I did one years ago with Winston, our works 50 ton Churchill press. When it finally let go, was like a gunshot. Everyone in the workshop jumped. Balljoint hit the floor and bounced. If it had hit ones foot, it would have hurt. A lot.

Had same experience, never bought a ball joint on its own again!!