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New Ball Joint for Control Arm or use the old one?

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J

Jerry

Darth Vader
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661-070 the ball joint that connects the control arms on the TR3-early 4. I am arguing with myself on if I need to replace these in my rebuild. I don't know how to test them other than we know they are original to the car. Do they wear that much and do YOU replace them in your restorations? MOSS just happens to have them on sale, so I was considering the purchase.

Jerry
TR3A
 
Fairly easy. When you move the ball stud around by hand it should be difficult to move. If it is easy, or rattles, it's shot.

Also check for binding as you move it, as the ball can wear a notch so it is only worn at one spot. It will feel notchy if that happens.
 
:eagerness: What he said. Only replace them if you need to.
 
The question is a good one. Folks here sometimes worry that the new ball joints aren't as good as the old ones. I really hope that's not the case, though we all know how world has changed. For me, I remember when the ball joint on my dad's car broke while I was driving. The thought of that happening at any appreciable speed isn't a good one.

I tend to agree it's a judgment call, but if you engaged in any major pounding and effort to get the old one off, or it feels loose, I'd replace it.
 
If the rubber boot is not cracked or gone to jelly, it's possible that the grease is still inside and this would have kept sand and other grit from getting to the bearing surfaces inside. If you swivel it and it doesn't feel gritty, then re-use it.

During its first life up to 80,350 miles, I rallied my 1958 TR3A extensively from 1959 to 1965 - mostly on gravel and sandy roads. So when I did my restoration from 1987 to 1990, I replaced the ball joints. They have been there since then and I've had no issues with the 1990 repros which have accumulated 110,000 miles since 1990.

But I had to change the rubber boots at least twice because the repro rubber goes to jelly. Fot the past 4 or 5 years, I have been using red Amsoil synthetic grease to see if the repro rubber boots are attacked or not by the new red grease. So far, so good.
 
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