[Steve55W]

Hi folks - pleased to say my TF passed its MOT last week with a couple of advisories.
One of these was slight play in rear upper ball joints so thought I’d replace front and back whilst I had the tools out!
I’ve already bought the BJs from MG Obsession - £48 for all 4 (collected), which I thought was a good price.
I‘ve got workshop manual basic instructions but wondered if whilst at it, there are other not-too-expensive jobs I could be doing eg bottom ball joints and/or ARB drop links. My suspension has been a little wayward and it tends to ‘track’ on uneven roads (when I’ve done the BJs I plan to get laser tracking done, front and back). However,given it’s just passed the MOT (and had a service) the alternative viewpoint might be ‘if it ain’t broke….’
I’ve not got a 46x100mm socket or ball joint splitter yet. Any views on buying the cheaper splitter which is basically a fork hit with hammer.
Any advice would be most gratefully received.
Many thanks

 

[Chris T]

I wouldn't bother with a splitter, given that you are replacing the ball joints remove the nut and smack it with a hammer.

US Pro 46mm Deep socket (3503)

If you are looking for a deep socket to remove the rear TF ball joint, I can recommend the US Pro 46mm Deep socket (3503) that can be found for £12 delivered, however I’ve just seen the same socket on eBay labelled as “MG Rover TF F Front Rear Suspension Top Upper Ball Joint Removal Socket” –...

www.mg-rover.org

www.mg-rover.org/threads/tf-mission-creep.873216/

 

[Austin2297]

If this were mine, I would first be questioning the quality of ball joints that can be bought £12 each. My viewpoint is that when the DIY labour is free, you can ‘invest’ in quality parts, particularly when the job may not to too easy to do.
Ball joint splitter? Fork wedge or clamp type? It would depend on access for the preferred clamp type. If access is poor then the fork wedge may be better.

 

[Steve55W]

I wouldn't bother with a splitter, given that you are replacing the ball joints remove the nut and smack it with a hammer.

US Pro 46mm Deep socket (3503)

If you are looking for a deep socket to remove the rear TF ball joint, I can recommend the US Pro 46mm Deep socket (3503) that can be found for £12 delivered, however I’ve just seen the same socket on eBay labelled as “MG Rover TF F Front Rear Suspension Top Upper Ball Joint Removal Socket” –...

www.mg-rover.org

www.mg-rover.org/threads/tf-mission-creep.873216/

Thanks Chris!

 

[Steve55W]

If this were mine, I would first be questioning the quality of ball joints that can be bought £12 each. My viewpoint is that when the DIY labour is free, you can ‘invest’ in quality parts, particularly when the job may not to too easy to do.
Ball joint splitter? Fork wedge or clamp type? It would depend on access for the preferred clamp type. If access is poor then the fork wedge may be better.

If this were mine, I would first be questioning the quality of ball joints that can be bought £12 each. My viewpoint is that when the DIY labour is free, you can ‘invest’ in quality parts, particularly when the job may not to too easy to do.
Ball joint splitter? Fork wedge or clamp type? It would depend on access for the preferred clamp type. If access is poor then the fork wedge may be better.

Appreciate the advice thank you Austin2297.
The ball joint quality is said to be OE standard and are manufactured by a reputable company call First Line. Automotive Aftermarket Parts Supplier First Line, parts for all makes. who’ve been around for many years, so thought I’d take the plunge.

 

[Austin2297]

OE and OEM are much (mis)used terms, and my personal view is that I treat such terms with discretion. I used First Line products as far back as when I had hair, but haven’t done so for decades since. I have a freelance mechanic neighbour who treats them as a last-ditch-buy, based on too many jobs having to be re-done too soon after at his labour expense.
Of course, this opinion is open to challenge and other’s experiences. Incase it helps,I tend to buy such aftermarket products by Febi, and they have served me well.

 

[Steve55W]

Appreciate the advice thank you Austin2297.
The ball joint quality is said to be OE standard and are manufactured by a reputable company call First Line. Automotive Aftermarket Parts Supplier First Line, parts for all makes. who’ve been around for many years, so thought I’d take the plunge.
[/

OE and OEM are much (mis)used terms, and my personal view is that I treat such terms with discretion. I used First Line products as far back as when I had hair, but haven’t done so for decades since. I have a freelance mechanic neighbour who treats them as a last-ditch-buy, based on too many jobs having to be re-done too soon after at his labour expense.
Of course, this opinion is open to challenge and other’s experiences. Incase it helps,I tend to buy such aftermarket products by Febi, and they have served me well.

Appreciate your viewpoint and I’ll look at Febi going forward. I’m still at the having hair stage 😂.
Given the very low mileage that I do in the TF (1600 last 12 months), and the positive reviews for work undertaken on hundreds of MGs at MG Obsession using First Line parts, I’m not overly concerned. Obviously I’ll report back if I experience any issues. Thanks again.

 

[trevtherevs]

Appreciate your viewpoint and I’ll look at Febi going forward. I’m still at the having hair stage 😂.
Given the very low mileage that I do in the TF (1600 last 12 months), and the positive reviews for work undertaken on hundreds of MGs at MG Obsession using First Line parts, I’m not overly concerned. Obviously I’ll report back if I experience any issues. Thanks again.

Have to say I'm envious of your hair status, but I also don't do that many miles and have used parts which some have said are not as good. So far, none of those parts have let me down or caused me reason to be worried. I know that if they do need replacing sooner than some pricey parts, it gives me something to keep me out of the way. But finally it's your money, your time, so if you are happy, go with it.

 

[Steve55W]

Have to say I'm envious of your hair status, but I also don't do that many miles and have used parts which some have said are not as good. So far, none of those parts have let me down or caused me reason to be worried. I know that if they do need replacing sooner than some pricey parts, it gives me something to keep me out of the way. But finally it's your money, your time, so if you are happy, go with it.

Good to hear Trev. The TF for me is a hobby and I get as much enjoyment ‘tinkering’ with as I do driving. So as you say, if a part (and I do use some used parts), lets me down, I get to do more tinkering!
PS I bought this nifty looking splitter for £7.49 on the Bay - may not be great quality, but if it helps, I’m happy 😊

 

[Steve55W]

Good to hear Trev. The TF for me is a hobby and I get as much enjoyment ‘tinkering’ with as I do driving. So as you say, if a part (and I do use some used parts), lets me down, I get to do more tinkering!
PS I bought this nifty looking splitter for £7.49 on the Bay - may not be great quality, but if it helps, I’m happy 😊

 

[D4KGP]

View attachment 138931

I've got one similar to that and it works fine, good piece of kit. Regards. D4KGP.

 

[MGB281]

I totally agree with the OEM quality, since there are so few Metros, Mini's, MGF's and TF's left on the road using these ball joints (and similar wearing parts) I believe there are probably only a couple of manufacturers supplying the entire market. Ball joints require more engineering and machining than for example an air filter, whereas you almost make an air filter on the kitchen table with a balljoint you will need sophisticated machine tools. Febi and Blueprint are part of the huge ZF empire, they manufacture every thing from axles and gearboxes for earth movers to gearboxes and shock absorbers (Bilstein) for cars. Also beware one supplier trades as "OEM Quality" which is just a company name and "Continental Direct" has no link to the Continental Tyre company that owns many brands including ATE brakes