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Broken Ball Joints

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M

mxp01

Jedi Warrior
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Gentlemen:

In the spring I had my car converted (professionally) to front disc brakes. Today I was bleeding the brakes when I noticed that both ball joint were broken.

I can change these out, but can anyone give me some insight as to why tese would be broken and what I can do to prevent this from happening again?

Mike Pennell
Nassau, the Bahamas
 
Yeah, I'll assume you mean tie-rod ends too.

But I'm curious......You noticed this while you were bleeding the brakes?

I assure you; if you broke a tie-rod end, you wouldn't need to get under the car to notice.
You would no longer be able to steer the car.

I'm wondering if maybe you mean the rubber covers that go over the tie-rod ends are torn? This can happen pretty easily if they are handled roughly during installation.

tie%20rod%20end.JPG
 
"This can happen pretty easily if they are handled roughly during installation."

or you bought then in the past couple of years. I don't think it's really rubber anymore....
 
Yes, guys, broken tie rod ends, and yes, the rubber covers are torn.

While I'l avoid the bungy cord approach, is there a better supplier for these (since someone mentioned they aren't rubber boots anymore).

Also, I changed these originally when I still had drum brakes and found it to be an easy fix. Is that true with disc brakes too?

Mike Pennell
 
the bungie cord repair works, The flooring mechanic was actually driving this van as shown in the photo. This is why I took a photo of his repair. I couldn't believe it

remember this the next time you meet someone coming toward you on the hiway

Really don't know why would both break, Sounds like something that would happen to the "Dukes of Hazzard " car
 
I was going to say its kingpins and there ain't no ball joints and there is the fulcrum pin and the threaded part sweated onto the A arms but no ball joints that I know of. Tie rods should be pretty cheap.
 
Tie rod ends are cheep like about 30 bucks I think for both.
 
I'm still curious: what exactly broke? Obviously, it couldn't be a complete fracture or you'd be reporting from your hospital bed. Did you see a crack? If so, where? Could you possibly post a picture?

This is scary to me. I wouldn't just shrug it off and replace the parts.
 
If the tie rod ends are otherwise still good, I have a spare set of new rubber boots you can have for the postage. If you are interested, send me a PM.

Bryan

Um,,, nevermind,, I now see you said the tie rod ends are broke too... :nonod:
 
Sorry:

The boots on the tie rod ends are broken. I can't post pictures because I can't figure out how.

Mike Pennell
 
Shesh, boots for the tie rod ends are cheep. Think Moss, might as well do the whole tie rod end though.
 
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