I have a sealed ball joint to fit into the stub carrier and the lower wishbone. I have read that there is a “ring” or “seat” in the carrier that has to be removed to allow the ball joint to fit. There is what appears to be a seat that protrudes above the surface of the carrier. The fit is so good it has the appearance of being a part of the carrier, rather than a seat that can be removed. I’ve attached a pic where you can see the “seat” protruding above the carrier surface if you look carefully. Is this the “seat” that must be drifted out to allow the sealed ball joint to fit? If so, it appears I would drift it out from the bottom and up and out at the top surface in the picture. Could someone please confirm I need to drift this piece out, before I make my next mistake?
About to update to sealed lower ball joints on my 1969 2+2 so I am assuming it is the same procedure. Don’t want to mess it up so would like confirmation that you place the ball joint on top of the seat that protrudes and drive it downwards so it comes out the bottom like the picture below ?
Back in the day we used SEALED XJ40 lower ball joints which you can still do. MANY companies now make the same unit but supposedly a heavier duty version.
Either way its the way to go, one and done for life!
Good luck
gtjoey1314
Smart move , If you stick with stock wheels or bigger wheels, the play is all gone…NO SHIMMING.
No greasing, no broken cups with a grease mess.
Good luck
gtjoey1314
Hello Jay,
Careful with the brand you buy through; not all suitable sealed ball joint units are created equal. The following picture is of a reputedly quality (cough) German manufactured component:
Hello Paul,
Either I’m a shit magnet; if a crappy part exists, I seem to get it, or most After Market parts makers produce rubbish and don’t actually know what QC stands for.
I suppose I should be grateful though; without bad luck, I’d have no luck at all.
Bill is correct, An original xj40 sealed ball joint is a perfect fit, The ones from SNG fit.
I thought there were two versions a standard and heavy duty aftermarket?
Ill look back at the rebuild or call sng, there was one supplier who had a terrible repro.
gtjoey1314
Hmmm, trying to fit the new sealed ball joint up through the bottom but does not look like enough room for the boot to fit through without damaging it. It looks like the boot needs to be removed from the ball joint and reattached after the new ball joint is in place. But it’s a sealed ball joint so that cannot be the case can it ?
These were included in the Front Suspension Rebuild Kit from XKs.
Below are some photos. It looks like upper part of the hole (stepped area) is smaller then the boot with the clip so will not go through. I flipped it and and placed it against the top to see the clearance but it looks the same size.
Removed the boot and now have the ball joint in place. Is there a technique for refitting the boot. I managed to fit one over but it does not look to seat in the ball joint groove properly and still need to refit the spring retainer. Tried for 30 minutes and then had to walk away to count to 10 and try again later.
