Ball Joint Gaiter

[onlinesys]

Hi Gents,

Indie informed me that my rear left control arm and front lower level wishbone (Assy) are getting loose so might not pass MOT.
I guess the control arm itself should be fine unless the metal is cracked so replacement of Ball Joint Gaiter should be ok.
http://www.eurospares.co.uk/parts/maserati/3200-gt/suspension-steering/rear-suspension-41504/198503
I could see that you could purchase the Ball joint gaiter (no.16 in the diagram) for the rear upper level Assy but could not
see it on the rear suspension lower level Assy. Could I just buy it separately?

Could I also just purchase no.12,14,31 & 32 only as per the below diagram for the front lower level Assy as per below diagram?
http://www.maseratispares.com/1998-heden/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1_2890_4603

Your insight is much appreciated.

 

[Zep]

If the ball joint is failing then repacking with grease and changing the gaiter is a temporary fix at best. If it's gone it's a new wishbone I'm afraid...

 

[jluis]

If its a new wishbone, and you can hold off a few months, maybe an alternative solution comes along ....

 

[davy83]

If the ball joint is loose, then a new cover and grease, will make it worse? You need a new wishbone, and welcome to the club. And keep an eye on the new ball joint cover as these are terrible and perish in 2_3 years, I would get the updated covers, there is a thread on here somewhere.

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[davy83]

Also should have mentioned you really want to do both sides, as the other side won't be far behind, and you will have a decent bill for geometry setting anyway

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[CraigWaterman11]

+1 to the gentlemen telling you the ball joint is gone and the wishbone needs to be replaced. You can not repack or repair ball joints. They will eventually come apart and the hub will fall out as well.

As to the gaiters about two years ago I started working with someone to have them custom made from a better material for my 4200, I started a thread and that's probably what another member was talking about. They actually as far as I knew did not make spares which is why it was so important to me. If you keep the gaiter and grease properly they last a really long time but as soon as dirt, water, and debris gets in there it's going to fail and shorten it's shelf life.

I get really busy working on various vehicles so I haven't been on for a while but I'm definitely still around if you PM me I will help you with the gaiters. I still have a few sets left.