Bad ball joints?
#1
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Hello, all!
I was gifted a '96 Vanden Plas back in May, and it's been my daily driver since then, and I'm slowly but surely working my way through all of the "well, it's ok for now..." problems (as well as all of the new ones that have popped up, and there are MANY).
I haven't done much with the front end, just replaced a caliper, but I thought the wheel bearings might be bad. I just had the rear ones replaced and ended up paying $1200 for it, and I'm not doing that again. However, I replaced the inner and outer bearings and raceways on the front driver's side, but there's still about an 1/8" of play, and only in the top of the wheel. I can press right, left, bottom, and it doesn't budge, but if I press on the top, it shifts. Perhaps a bad ball joint?
I was gifted a '96 Vanden Plas back in May, and it's been my daily driver since then, and I'm slowly but surely working my way through all of the "well, it's ok for now..." problems (as well as all of the new ones that have popped up, and there are MANY).
I haven't done much with the front end, just replaced a caliper, but I thought the wheel bearings might be bad. I just had the rear ones replaced and ended up paying $1200 for it, and I'm not doing that again. However, I replaced the inner and outer bearings and raceways on the front driver's side, but there's still about an 1/8" of play, and only in the top of the wheel. I can press right, left, bottom, and it doesn't budge, but if I press on the top, it shifts. Perhaps a bad ball joint?
#2
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Upper shock mount bushing commonly is loose but is there a connection as you move it in your manor ? The bushing can be seen from the bottom through the wheel well . Item # 8 X 2
https://www.jaguarclassicparts.com/a...d-damper-front
https://www.jaguarclassicparts.com/a...pper-and-lower
https://www.jaguarclassicparts.com/a...d-damper-front
https://www.jaguarclassicparts.com/a...pper-and-lower
Last edited by Lady Penelope; 12-09-2017 at 07:13 PM.
#3
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#4
#5
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You will most likely need the 4 bolts ( item # 16 ) on each lower ball joint as they heavily corrode on the shank . Don't go cheap on the source as these are strength critical . Don't lose track of the shim count ( item # 8 ) on both sides of the upper ball joint as this in theory negates the need for a wheel alignment although it wouldn't be a bad idea depending how much work you do on the front suspension . The 2 x 2 long bolts ( item # 6 ) through the upper ball joint may be compromised as well . How is the upper shock bushings as a while you have things apart as this will cause a bumping / knocking feeling in the ride
Last edited by Lady Penelope; 12-10-2017 at 12:19 PM.
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TryHard (12-10-2017)
#7
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Depending on how much self abuse you are minded to inflict, I would echo Lady P's comments about the upper shock bushes, and add in the lower bushes too. I dont think they will be contributing to the problem you describe, but on X300s they are more or less consumables and while you have everything apart.....
I would also echo the comments about parts quality. There is known to be some cheap rubbish out there in terms of ball joints and bushes, so unless you are happy to do the job again in a surprisingly short time, go for OEM or OEM quality.
I would also echo the comments about parts quality. There is known to be some cheap rubbish out there in terms of ball joints and bushes, so unless you are happy to do the job again in a surprisingly short time, go for OEM or OEM quality.
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