What Is This Ball Joint Called And What Magic Spell Do You Need To Cast To Change It

[sonicz]

Whats the best way to get this ball joint replaced? I found out have a little play in mine, maybe a few mm, and I cant find any replacement parts. It doesn't seem to affect anything as its pressed down with the car on the ground but when I go over bumps I think its making a small clunk.

Edited December 25, 2014 by sonicz

[zebra]

R33?

If so

the Nissan part numbers are -

40579-33p01 - oil seal

40030-33p07 - upper bearing (also looks very much like a 6203 bearing)

40030-33p12 lower bearing

[sonicz]

Yes R33 GTST. Thanks. I will try hunt them down. I'm guessing the whole hub assembly has to come out, and then is it a hard job? I'm also getting the mechanic to change the bearings while he's at it. Is there anything else that is easily changed while doing this particular job?

[zebra]

I havent changed teh trunnion/king pin bearings yet...they are sitting beside me...hence easy to get part numbers lol

Id do the sway bar links while you are there.

[GTSBoy]

Splitting them shouldn't be too hard. Cap off the top. Castellated nut off. Apply pressure (prybar or balljoint splitter if there is room, which I think there isn't) to spread the joint and then shock it with a pair of big hammers. Can do it on car with the hub assembly still attached at the lower ball joint. Just have to remove the upper arm outer and any other stuff that's in the way (steering, brakes).

[sonicz]

I vaguely know someone that works at nissan parts. I'll call them and ask if he can order the part numbers. How much did you pay for yours? Then take them to my mechanic, and hope he knows how to do it..

Sway bar links, never done those, are these ok?

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/251689653517?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=107&chn=ps

only $55 (keeping costs down is a priority)

Or should I go on the hunt for aftermarket ones? These Taiwanese made parts don't seem to last as long as stock, as my outer tie rods wore out in a year or two and the stock ones lasted 20.

I have hard race rear camber control arms, as they were the only brand aside from stock that have rubber instead of rose joints and I was very happy. They settled the back real nice and allowed me to have the camber set to a more reasonable level than the stock parts. Why is the stock rear camber so negative anyway. Wears out the tyres on the inside while the rest of the tread is good and makes gripping dangerous in the wet. I also have more grip in the dry to when set at 0.9 negative camber compared to the stock with was about 1.6 (too much imo)

Edited December 25, 2014 by sonicz

[zebra]

amayama.com is your friend here

from memory I paid 110 USD including freight for the bearings (2 sets)

[GTSBoy]

Hardrace also have ARB links. If it were me (and it fact it will be as I have to replace/upgrade my front ones) I'd be buying the Whiteline heavy Duty links. Not cheap, but known to be good.

[sonicz]

Are they compatible with the stock swaybar though? No point upgrading sway bar links if the sway bar is soft. I guess the stock ones are horrible and I should look for a complete swaybar kit anyway, but that is about $600 compared to $55. I'll have a look at if anyone is selling used swaybars, since they dont wear out I should be able to get 2 used swaybars and new sway bar links for cheaper.

[Nismo 3.2ish]

R33?

If so

the Nissan part numbers are -

40579-33p01 - oil seal

40030-33p07 - upper bearing (also looks very much like a 6203 bearing)

40030-33p12 lower bearing

Not sure if i have this right but it looks like it. Tried to take a pic with the wheel on, do better tomorrow

My mechanic said my "Top Outer Ball Joint Arm " needs replacing or whatever but he cannot find one anywhere . It seemed to be the same as the on in the photo, pressed on or something like that??

He is away until tomorrow so I will have to wait and go and see him, take a couple of pics

I contacted Kudos and he said the R34GTR doesn't use any ball joints in the top arm only on the lower and there were 2, an inner(4 bolt) and outer(2 bolt)

Mine is a 1999 R34GTR are they different ?

[GTSBoy]

The upper is not a ball joint. That's why you won't find one if you go looking for a ball joint. It is just a bearing really. Upper spindle bearing, or various other terms.

[Nismo 3.2ish]

The upper is not a ball joint. That's why you won't find one if you go looking for a ball joint. It is just a bearing really. Upper spindle bearing, or various other terms.

Thanks mate

That is some sort of press type fitting ?

[GTSBoy]

GTR service manual tells you how to dismantle the suspension. Even the R32 one (readily downloadable) is correct enough for the R34.

[zebra]

Its easy as pie

Unbolt, way bar and upright, pop that cap off, undo the bolt and it slides right out.

Press old bearings out, press now ones in, fill with grease and done.

[Nismo 3.2ish]

Will check it out, thanks

It always looks easy when someone else does it that knows what they are doing

Edited April 30, 2015 by Nismo 3.2ish

[Nismo 3.2ish]

The upper is not a ball joint. That's why you won't find one if you go looking for a ball joint. It is just a bearing really. Upper spindle bearing, or various other terms.

Looks like mine might be the Kingpin bearing

[GTSBoy]

Well, kingpin is a term from the 1950s, which is your vintage isn't it?

[zebra]

Nissan do infact call it a kingpin

[Nismo 3.2ish]

Well, kingpin is a term from the 1950s, which is your vintage isn't it?

I was 8

[Nismo 3.2ish]

Nissan do infact call it a kingpin

Went to the mechanic and he shook his head when I said it was not a ball joint but a Kingpin or upper spindle bearing and said it was a ball joint ?