Lower Wishbone Spherical Bearing Clip

[Smutly1]

I'm replacing the lower wishbone spherical bearing. The clip got a bit bent removing it. Caterham appear to be out of stock. Does anyone know where I can get one?

Mine clip appears to be a spiral of flat metal

 

[Wrightpayne]

Try Redline

[7 wonders of the world]

the clip, spiral or circlip should be replaced anyway

CC have them instock

https://caterhamparts.co.uk/wishbones/670-circlip-spherical-joint.html?search_query=circlip&results=15

 

[colindavies56]

ive just changed mine but i didnt fit the circlip type as the eyelet bit was touching the bearing.wasnt interfering but i didnt like it.reverted back to the spiral type.

[Smutly1]

I looked at the circlip in the Caterham parts but they say 1991 to 1999. My car was built 2000 so I wasn't sure if I could use it. If its an alternative to the spiral clip I guess I can use that?

[7 wonders of the world]

Odd ....fitted several with circlips without issue, was the groove fully clean, sounds like there may have been a small piece of debris preventing the clip seating fully

[Smutly1]

The CC clip is not a bad price until you add postage! does anyone know the size? I assume its just a standard internal circlip for a 1.19 (30.3mm) bore?

[Wrightpayne]

My car a '98 and has the spiral version.

If I was desperate (ie no stock at redline) I'd get a correctly sized internal circlip but dremmel the protruding tabs off and add an angled edge on the ends so I could lever out next time.

Big question - Loctite the spherical bearing y/n ? I would! 

[Bricol]

I'm still amazed that 20 yrs after building mine, and using it in all weathers, all year round, leaving it outside most of the time - those bearings are still in good condition!

[Wrightpayne]

I've read that bearings moving up and down in the wishbone have been wrongly diagnosed as play in the bearing at MOT time hence my loctite comment.

[Bricol]

By loctite, I guess you are meaning 638 retainer - which would involve heat to get them back out - but I can't imagine mine would be easy to remove after all this time.  Maybe 641 would be good enough?

[Wrightpayne]

I just put some thread lock on the one I changed. 

[Geoff Brown]

Standard bearing lock is fine & if the bearings need to be changed they do press out without too much of a struggle by the socket, bolt & washer method.