Limitless Posted April 11, 2023 Share Posted April 11, 2023 Hi all, I have a 2018 420r that has a hole in the upper wishbone ball joint dust cover. I read that its better to get a new ball joint, does anyone know what these are from or do I have to order from Caterham? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative paul richards Posted April 11, 2023 Area Representative Share Posted April 11, 2023 You can buy from Redline who also do the rubber dust cover. Cover is much cheaper and easy to replace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted April 11, 2023 Leadership Team Share Posted April 11, 2023 It's more straightforward to retain the current geometry setting if you replace just the dust cover. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limitless Posted April 12, 2023 Author Share Posted April 12, 2023 Thanks but I've read on here that it's very easy to damage the dust cover when installing a new one, hence, I thought it would be better to replace the whole thing and just count the turns carefully when taking it off.Also, there is a method ('SM25T' does it this way) where you use a nut and bolt to split it but can't picture that in my tiny brain! Does anyone have a picture of how it works? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative paul richards Posted April 12, 2023 Area Representative Share Posted April 12, 2023 Easiest way to successfully put new seal on is to use a socket or piece of tube of same diameter as the metal on the seal. Place in a vice to squeeze it on evenly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limitless Posted April 13, 2023 Author Share Posted April 13, 2023 Bought the ball joint yesterday from Oakmere. I'll just count the threads and measure. Thanks anyway guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted April 13, 2023 Share Posted April 13, 2023 Once the nut has been removed from the ball joint pin, put a nut on a bolt (that just fits vertically under the end of the ball joint taper pin). Unscrew the nut from the bolt to effectively make the assembly longer and thus drive the pin upwards until you break the grip of the taper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limitless Posted April 14, 2023 Author Share Posted April 14, 2023 Ok, that makes more sence now. Thanks SM25T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Englishmaninwales Posted April 14, 2023 Share Posted April 14, 2023 If you are re-using the ball joint and employing SM25T's method (which works every time for me) I recommend fitting a non nyloc nut to the end of the threaded taper pin. This will prevent any damage to the thread on the end of the taper pin when force is applied to it (avoid using the original nyloc as it'll be tight on the thread and more aggro to then remove it!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Hutton Posted April 14, 2023 Share Posted April 14, 2023 I had a total nightmare trying to replace the dust cover. In the end I made a tool on a lathe to press fit the new cover cover on but it was still ridiculously tight even after filing the rebate on the ball joint a bit. Even being careful I got the 3 replacement covers!!! No chance of doing it without removing the balljoint from the chassis so the tracking needs checking anyhow afterwards. I would definitely just get a new ball joint next time and save the hassle. Sorry to contradict some of the other excellent contributors here but that was my experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limitless Posted April 15, 2023 Author Share Posted April 15, 2023 And now to stop it spinning when I tighten the nut! I know there needs to be pressure on it so I tried two clamps to no avail.Going to try a bigger G clamp today and see how that goes. How does everyone else do it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted April 15, 2023 Share Posted April 15, 2023 Is there a hex socket in the end of the pin ? A smear of grease on the pin before fitting can help. Otherwise, stand on the wishbone or use a ratchet strap to lower wishbone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted April 15, 2023 Leadership Team Share Posted April 15, 2023 Edited ... misunderstood, wrong bit spinning! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Limitless Posted April 15, 2023 Author Share Posted April 15, 2023 Ah yes, a ratchet strap, I never thought of that. I'll report back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amos91 Posted April 15, 2023 Share Posted April 15, 2023 From memory I just jacked the suspension up on that side to create the tension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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