Ooooops! Balljoints

[rogerowen]

Just went to fit new ball joint to steering rack only to discover it's too big - as in - the hole is bigger than the rack end. It must be that I have a different car steering rack??? Mini, Midget, HEEEELP!

[bmcecosse]

I believe the size changed at some point - I assume you are fitting new Track Rod Ends? Spridget uses the same rack (upside down - as it happens..) . See item 60 on the MOSS cat.. early cars 9/16" and later cars 5/8". http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewP ... exID=17090

[rogerowen]

Thanks BMC, I'll take a look at that link.

Cheers

[mike.perry]

Yep, you have the wrong TRE, you need the small one. Weren't you asked which one you needed?

[rogerowen]

Yep, you have the wrong TRE, you need the small one. Weren't you asked which one you needed?

My car is 1960 (1st registered) - so I ordered the ball joints for 'late '59 onwards'. Maybe my car was manufactured early '59 and stood around for a bit - or the earlier type steering rack was fitted at some point. BM might take the wrong joints back - but I've already opened one from its plastic wrapper, greased it and smothered the internal thread with copper grease It would be interesting to find out the manufacture date of my car, it has a Stewart Arden supplier plate on the bulkhead - maybe it was in the showroom for a while

[mike.perry]

I think that the larger diameter racks were fitted with the 1098 engine 1963 on. I do not have any reference books available but if I am correct then I think that you have a case for replacement, grease or not.

[bmcecosse]

They don't cost a lot....sell them on here rather than spend money sending them back. Things like TRE etc are better bought in your local Autoparts place (not Hellfrauds...) - no postage to pay, and if you go in wearing overalls (not spanking new/clean... ) and grubby hands - and ask for a Discount - good chance you will get it!

[rogerowen]

They don't cost a lot....sell them on here rather than spend money sending them back. Things like TRE etc are better bought in your local Autoparts place (not Hellfrauds...) - no postage to pay, and if you go in wearing overalls (not spanking new/clean... ) and grubby hands - and ask for a Discount - good chance you will get it!

Thanks BMC, Yer quite right! Got 10 % of for 'trade' doing exactly that! no one's got dirtyer overalls thas mine - I don't wash them , just every now and then give them an oil change!