Transit Top Ball Joints

[Guest Andy Sparrow]

Hoping someone can advise - I am replacing my top ball joints in my series III (in board shocks) Do I need spring compressors to allow the top hat to slide out of the stub axel - or is it enough to just jack her up (I have std anti roll bar set up) and undo the pinch nuts. Also any tips to enable me to maintain the camber (or is it castor even Richard seems confused!) once I have changed the joints... ?

(Only reason for change is the sodding boots split, so mot failure)

 

thanx in advance

[Longboarder]

If you are just changing the tranny balljoint the only thing to be affected will be camber. Mark the rotational position of the top hat in the hub carrier strut pinch thingie so it is not rotated when put back. You can then just jack up the body high till the shocks are bottomed out plus a bit. Use axle stands for safety. If you separate the bottom hub carrier joint, the one with a 22mm (I think) nut on it the hub carrier will swing out easily to aid the change. If you have wishbones you don't need to do that. Measure from centre of ball joint to rocking arm end so you can reset this dimension. Check camber after with vertical spirit level.

 

Nigel