Wishbone ball joint gaiters

[mgcjag]

Hi All.....anyone changed the gaiters on the wishbone ball joints, what type did you use and from where......a friend just got some of the clear ones and found they were too big...was told he needed a plastic insert....got them but they wouldnt fit.....he,s now chasing with the supplier....one of the usuals.....need to replace mine soon due to some cracking in the black rubber......what have you used...thanks ...... Steve

[abowie]

Clear ones. I lock wired them in place.

[Quattrofrank]

Clear ones with a plastic ring inside.

[David Oslo]

I fitted clear ones 2 years ago, sort of flat pancake design, Jag spec, but they split after a year, the 'silicone' material had harnened and was not very flexible.

I changed them out with the black type (still Jag spec) that looks like the classic 'boot' we're used to. They are still flexible. I've ordered replacements for all the ball joints now. Don't want to get an "advisory" on an MOT due to a ?3 part.

Both types were wired into place, twice around circumference then twisted off. Not just the C-clip type, which seemed a bit weak.

[mgcjag]

Just an update on my friends visit to the suplier......looks like his clear ones were slightly too large think they are from a S3 packaged wrong.......the plastic insert is too hard and does not fit...thats all they had....went to another supplyer who had jag inserts, these were softer material and should fit ok

[JOHN HAY]

The best type I have found are made of Polly Urethane, last for years & are best kept in place with wire!

John.

[mgcjag]

Hi John...what colour and where from...thanks

[JOHN HAY]

Clear, I got them in South Africa where i live, but believe they are used extensively in the Nordic Countries where extreme temperatures are a factor

You could try AYD Suspension manufactures in Turkey, I know that they have them.

Regards

John.

[rossbraithwaite]

Slightly off topic but still on the ball joint rubber gaitors:
I still have the standard type held in place with a circular metal wire clip. These always come off when I jack the front end up because the front suspension drops to the limit. They are very difficult to get back on. Does any one have any advice or tips for getting these back into place? Also, any tips to prevent them coming off or will they just tear?
Thanks, ross

[mgcjag]

Hi Ross.....yours could be comming off because the retaining clips are worn...or you have incorrect gaiters...either replace them or as others above have sugested wire tie them on...

[Bob.]

Don't want to fail an MOT due to a ?3 part.

Is it an MOT failure if the gaitor has failed but there is no play in the joint or only an advisory?

[mgcjag]

Hi Bob.....as far as im aware its a fail.....not worth chancing your luck....if they are cracked,split you will only get dirt in there......if you have a friendly mot guy and they are not to bad he may let you through

[David Oslo]

Over here we have different types of fail, guess it's similar in UK. Worst kind is your car is parked and you can't drive home, safety critical stuff. Next kind is a fail that you have to repair and re-show to the test centre once fixed, or else the MOT will lapse. Then the last kind is just the 'heads-up' keep an eye on things. I've checked the government guidelines, and a split or missing ball joint gaitor is actually just the last type, you get a notification but you don't fail.

Common sense of course says that this could lead to corrosion, stiffness, wear etc, which then gives the next level up of fail, e.g. a real fail. So it's good to keep the rubbers tidy.