MK 1V front uprights

[nick Godridge]

Hi all,  Before I start, and for reference, my car is an early Mk 1V, AK 1035.I think it was an 84 build.
   I was greasing the car the other day, had the front wheels off the ground, and noticed I had a little play when rocking the wheel top and bottom.
   
   I assume this is due to king pin wear, and would like to know where I can find a new one, also, is it is a job which can be done at home, without specialist tools.?
   
   Thx
   
   Nick G

[Kevin C]

Sounds like a ball joint wear problem to me. Check out http://www.acownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3739 (post on this forum by 'French Frie' from Jan 21st 2015 if the link doesn't work) It is not some thing to ignore and there are pictures of two of the different types of ball joint used on our cars including the early one. I believe that Gerry Hawkridge can supply the early type and maybe advise you if it is prudent to do the job yourself.
   
   Regards
   
   Kevin

[AC Ventura]

Sounds the same to me. Lower ball joint. I'm pretty sure for later cars like mine (1993) they are SAAB. Inexpensive and freely available. I have the part no but don't know about 1984 if there were two types.
    However, on mine changing them is very awkward as you gave to make tools.The nut that holds the ball joint  taper pin that is extremely difficult to access. You must initially undo it with a ring spanner, or it will round off. Problem is it's not possible to remove the spanner once the nut starts to fully undo. For that you need an open end spanner that you are prepared to cut up to get in there. Also a HD nut splitter.
    It took me a several attempts to figure and finally get it out. In the end I resorted to splitter and a blowtorch which worked in the end, albeit with a bang that sounded like a gunshot. Be careful using a blow torch on a ball joint as there's lots of flammable rubber and grease.
    Or go to Al and Alec at Thunder Road. They would have done it by the time you get the car on axle stands.

[MkIV Lux]

Hello Mike,
   got same problem now on my car (July 1993): lower ball joint play.
   
   Is the correct part SAAB 8905416, 8985384, 8993388 ?
   Replacement part NK 5044102 ?  or equally TRW JBJ252 ?
   Thanks in advance.
   Constant

[AC Ventura]

Hi Contant
    I fitted the equivalent of TRW JBJ 252. The ones I received were permanently sealed with grease (no nipple).
    If you do it yourself, you must free the nut with the correct ring spanner so as not to damage it. It's one of those jobs, where it's very easy to assemble, but only just possible to disassemble. Once the taper is separated, it's simple and the new part fitted no problem at all.

[MkIV Lux]

Hi Mike,
   Many thanks for the info and hint.
   Just ordered Delphi equivalent part.
   Will keep you posted.
   Thanks
   Constant

[MkIV Lux]

Hi Mike,
   Ball joint successfully replaced. As you correctly mentioned, the difficulty is to get the ring spanner (19 metric) around the nut. We had to flatten the spanner as the cavity in which the nut sits is very tight at the upper end of the bolt. The replacement part by Delphi had exactly the same bolt length, such that the spanner could be removed after the nut was completely tightened.
   Thanks for the hint.
   Constant

[AC Ventura]

Hi Constant,
   
   I'm delighted you managed it - well done. Now you can corner hard with confidence - well sort of......[:0]