My car failed the car test for the same thing AGAIN!

[future_jack]

Hi,
I'm from Ireland and we have to put our cars through a car test every two years to get a roadworthy certificate. Ours is called the NCT (National car test). I think the UK and NI equivalent is the MOT.

My test was yesterday and everything was perfect apart from the front left ball joint. Two years ago my car failed on the front left ball joint aswell and got a new one. Think it was about 120 euro + I got a mechanic to fit it - 20 euro I think.

There's no way it should be gone that fast though. The ball joint on the other side is fine and is much older. The left side hasn't had significantly worse treatment than the right either.

I'm going to need to get the car back on the road so I will have to buy a new ball joint. Unfortunately I don't have the receipt to bring back the current one to the motor factors. But could it be that I bought a dodgy ball joint or could there be something else in the system putting extra stress on the joint causing it to wear prematurely?

Thanks.

 

[rtbcomp]

Could be the difference between genuine and non-genuine parts?

 

[Davebell]

Non genuine part i expect, However sometimes the nearside suspension takes more of a beating due to pot holes being closer to the kerb etc,

 

[zzr1200]

How many miles have you covered since the last test???

PS. What car?

 

[Cran]

could be something else causing the ball yount to wear out, e.g knackered spring or shock, or steering when the cars not moving (do you park in a tight spot regularaly as thats what knackered the balljoint on my gf's car) do you bump into or drive over kerbs a lot?

 

[future_jack]

I didn't think there would be such a massive difference in quality between a genuine and non-genuine part!

It's a 94 Nissan Sunny which is in good nick otherwise and has about 114k on the clock. I'd say it's about 20k since I installed the bearing but there was noise coming from it for a while - I can't recall how long.

I'm not sure if it's something else that could be causing it to wear out. I might have to ask the mechanic but I'd prefer to get this resolved without his help to save money. I don't turn the steering much when the car is not moving.

 

[Luke]

I didn't think there would be such a massive difference in quality between a genuine and non-genuine part!

You thought wrong!!

Obviously it's not the only answer, but it is a likely one.

 

[Unclefista]

Is it the joint itself or the rubber boot covering it ?

If it's the boot, I reckon you might have the same problem as I have with my Locost.

New/old stock.

Every year for the MOT test I need to replace both track rod ends, within a few weeks the rubber boots perish and need replacing for the next test, ad infinitum.

I reckon it's 'cos the same parts might have been sat on a shelf somewhere for up to 30 years (the rack is from a Escort Mk2, they stopped production in 1980).

The MOT was yesterday, I couldn't be arsed this time (£8 for a replacement pair on ebay) but at some point in the future I'm gonna see if I can buy replacement universal rubber boots to put on the new TREs.

As you're paying for a mechanic to sort it, I'd go with OE parts, or at least parts from a "known good" supplier, a decent new balljoint on a car that age should see the car out...

 

[rtbcomp]

Rubber isn't what it used to be. I had a brand new propshaft gaiter fail on a Landrover in less than a year, and the vehicle hadn't moved an inch in that time.

A friend of mine who runs a classic car spares service reckons the composition of modern rubber has been modified for environmental reasons. There was a discussion on a Landrover forum a few years ago about tyres having a scrap-by date, regardless of tread left, because the rubber would have deteriorated.

 

[malcolm]

I have the inside story on rubber - work with the stuff a lot in acoustics. Rubber has advanced enormously, and you'd not expect to have to work your way around your shiny new BMW every year replacing all the rubber bits. Most will last until the electronics give out.

Problem is the majority of aftermarket parts are made in developing countries. These aftermarket manufacturers don't normally have access to original drawings and specifications, and if it's cheaper to make a part like all the others they'll remove features that might have been designed in for extreme loads.

But above all their rubber manufacturers don't seem to have the first clue about making rubber parts. The majority of aftermarket rubber made in India and China will not last for much more than a year or two. I'm at the point where I won't replace rubber parts unless I absolutely have to, and then I'll go for a European source or the OEM if I can.

 

[scarecrow]

Three years ago I took a car in to be tested the guy passed it but said there was a pin hole in the rubber booth on one of the drives it was never changed and passed the test flying two years later

 

[Neil Fletcher]

I didn't think there would be such a massive difference in quality between a genuine and non-genuine part!

There can be a very big difference, a few years ago I put a set of new "Balco" TCA's in a Mk1 Escort that I had rebuild, well the very first time it went for Mot the guy nearly turned it down because they were very loose. He even called one of the other guys over and they did pass the remark to me that yes they could see they were new ones but said the quality wasn't good - thankfully they did let her go through.

at some point in the future I'm gonna see if I can buy replacement universal rubber boots to put on the new TREs.

I've seen these in bags of 10 at some of the Autojumbles, there seem to be two or three different sizes, probably for TRE's, TCA's etc.

All the best, Neil.

Neil Fletcher Racing

 

[future_jack]

Cheers for that information regarding the quality of non-genuine and rubber.

I wonder is there anywhere on the web you can find a list of reputable third party manufacturers for such things.

 

[gaz_moose]

'blueprint' make decent replacement parts for jap cars.
try looking on ebay as a lot of suppliers are selling new old stock nissan parts

 

[andypocock]

I'm forever sending out suspension parts to my sister in Galway but the roads are pretty "testing" around her.

 

[future_jack]

I'm forever sending out suspension parts to my sister in Galway but the roads are pretty "testing" around her.

Fancy that! I'm in Galway too.

I don't suppose you would be able to source a "quality" third party component or advise on brands.

I am going to look into that blueprint brand. I'm also keeping my eye on ebay.

 

[future_jack]

I rang up my local Nissan dealership today and they said you can't get this part on it's own. You have to buy the wishbone with it. Total cost for ball joint and wishbone is about 160 or 170 euro. (140GBP)

I rang up a motor factors and got quoted about 28 euro (23GBP) for a third party. The brand is Delphi - anyone ever hear of these?

By the way I really don't want to go against the advice here regarding genuine or non genuine. I'm just thinking if I could get a good brand third party I might save myself alot of money.

My mind is not made up yet anyway - I'm not going to rule out the main dealership completely. I better pull off the wheel at the weekend and have a good look to see if I can spot anything else that might be damaged that could affect the ball joint.

 

[malcolm]

I'd snap up the Delphi parts - they are the original original suppliers in many cases, and have gained some reputation in Renault circles for supplying original parts rather than rubbish knock-offs even for our 30 year old cars. A Renault 4 owner looking for dampers would buy from Delphi and nowhere else (not even from Renault). Though that might be a special case.

 

[Luke]

No, I'd agree, Delphi are ok, certainly from my experience with LR parts.

 

[andypocock]

Fancy that! I'm in Galway too.

I don't suppose you would be able to source a "quality" third party component or advise on brands.

If you've found a Delphi part you'll be fine but if you do need anything sent over anytime let me know. I think my sister is coming over at Christmas so she'll be going back with a heavy suitcase anyway.

(She's in Ballinahalla just outside Moycullen for collection purposes)