Upper control arm ball joint

[Leicesterminiracer]

Anyone had this happen to Qp5

Rear Upper Control Arm ball joint snapped. Causing wheel to toe in and flap around.

 

[Steve GS]

Ouch. gope you wasn't driving at speed.

 

[2b1ask1]

Ooooh! That'll get your attention!

Aware of a couple of lower ball joints failing recently Another one to report to DVSA though. Good luck with getting it sorted.

 

[Mr K]

Unlucky. Should be an easy DIY fix, though.

What's the age and mileage? I can see it's an early car because it has adjustable lower perch shocks.

 

[Leicesterminiracer]

2004 QP5. Straight forward job. Seized bolts are a bugger.

 

[CatmanV2]

Your car seems to have had its tyres replaced with black o-ring seals?

Or is that just a trick of the light?

C

 

[Leicesterminiracer]

No they are rim protector tyres. With gloss black alloys

 

[CatmanV2]

No they are rim protector tyres. With gloss black alloys

Ooooh right. Any chance of a close up? I'm always kerbing

C

 

[safrane]

Did the QP not have a recall campaign for rear suspension?

 

[Spartacus]

I am tryng to change an upper wishone bone on my 4200 , bolt seized solid . and the brake line is in the way of one of the bolts . Would you lot recommend heat to crack them ? i have ordered new bolts incase it has to be cut off .

 

[NickP]

I was advised not to heat these control arms as they are alloy.

 

[Leicesterminiracer]

1 bolt managed to free. The second was a *****, after hours of bashing, penetration oil etc. I just cut it off angle grinder with a new cutting disc. Was tricky getting the grinder in but once positioned hit the on button and hold on to your life. #18000rpm!.

BTW.. I am replacing control arm as this one is scrap.

 

[Leicesterminiracer]

This is what I mean.

 

[Spartacus]

I was advised not to heat these control arms as they are alloy.

Im replacing the arm so it would nt matter . Just can t get it off

 

[2b1ask1]

Cut not heat Martyn...

 

[Spartacus]

okey dokey

 

[Mr K]

Did the QP not have a recall campaign for rear suspension?

Yes, for the tie rods. Rearmost part visible in the OP's photo. They've been shinier than other suspension bits on my 2 QPs, both confirmed done.

Did I say it was an easy DIY job earlier? Obviously I meant fitting the new part

 

[bigbob]

I've had two springs fail at 35k miles.

It will be interesting to see if the QPV and its derivatives have similar suspension issues to the 3200 as they get older.

 

[Leicesterminiracer]

Martyn,

Post some pictures of the arm you taking off.

 

[Leicesterminiracer]

Pic showing ball joint end completely snapped. Was there a recall campaign for this ?.. Trust me at 40mph this joint popped out sending the near side wheel into the inner arch and the back end tail snapping to a stop.