Ball Joint Dust Covers

[inca]

Hi

My e-type failed it's MOT today as both sides front upper suspension arm ball joint dust covers were perished. Should I just replace the dust covers as recommended by the garage or fit new ball joints, or even further and fit uprated upper wishbones complete with ball joints?

1st options <?10 other is > ?500 in parts.

Any recommendations and thoughts on this is appreciated.

Regards

[1954Etype]

Hi

My e-type failed it's MOT today as both sides front upper suspension arm ball joint dust covers were perished. Should I just replace the dust covers as recommended by the garage or fit new ball joints, or even further and fit uprated upper wishbones complete with ball joints?

1st options <?10 other is > ?500 in parts.

Any recommendations and thoughts on this is appreciated.

Regards

Check if the ball joints are worn (note the wishbone that wears as well). If they are ok, buy the nylon type cover (last for years). Failing that, CMC do a pretty good upgrade.

[Kes]

No point in changing the ball joints just for the sake of it, but when you do replace the covers, be aware that one of the main reasons they split is over-zealous greasing through the nipple.

[inca]

Thank you for your advice. I've read on other car forums that once the boots are perished and there has been ingress of dirt it could compromise the joint? There is no play in the ball joint. I'm OK to follow the MOT garage advice but thought I'd refer it to the specialists first! Regards :)

[christopher storey]

This is not something to worry about. When you have dismantled the joint, which is best done with a ball joint splitter of the "screw up" variety rather than the pickle fork type, flush out the joint with e.g. paraffin or clean oil pumped through the nipple, and put the new ( preferably plastic ) dust cover on and reassemble . If this does not satisfy you, then you can go the whole hog with only a few minutes extra work by taking the top cover and nipple off and cleaning everything up that way . The only potential problem with this is that sometimes you need eg a valve spring compressor to compress the joint sufficiently in the wishbone to get the circlip back in

[mystery type]

buy the nylon type cover

i will need some covers for mine soon, these nylon type seem a good idea, where would be the best place to purchase these?

[christopher storey]

SNGB or Hutsons have them

[inca]

Yes - bought the plastic covers from SNG.

Consequently needed to buy plastic ring inserts to go with them (part no. 166599 from SC Parts) as I found the the clips provided did not hold the cover tight to the ball joint.

I also ordered new nyloc nuts and washers (who ever put the ball joint on last did not use any washers!).

Question I have is when I received the Nyloc nuts from SC Parts they are half the depth as the original nuts the new nuts they sent are only about 6mm- is this right?

The service from SC Parts was not good. In stock, took a week for them to send it despite paying next day delivery.