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[Bigron]

Tyre-Smart found my ball joints to be knackered yesterday, but made no adverse comments about the wishbones themselves, so would it be acceptable to replace the ball joints alone?
Ebay are offering two ball joints plus new bolts for £14.95 the pair, delivered.
Your thoughts please, gents?
Then all I need is someone to fit them in exchange for beer vouchers!

Ron.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

I have no doubt the wishbone bushes will be pretty knackered, they always are - but, Your on a limited budget I believe, don't do that many miles, and have no particular desire to see how quickly you can get from A to B.
So realistically, I would change the balljoints, and then keep an eye on tyre wear. As long as its acceptable to you, then happy days.
I cant remember if there is enough space to grind or dril the rivets out of the wishbones in situ tbh. If it is it makes the job a lot easier,quicker and cheaper.
Realistically, I'm afraid its unlikely I could volunteer myself, as I have so little spare time, I struggle to look after my own cars the way I want to. 

[Doctor Gollum]

Small angle grinder and dead head them from underneath 

Undo the pinch bolt first though

[Bigron]

Albs, I wasn't hinting for you to volunteer, but thanks for your correct assessment of my finances and car useage - 4,000 miles last year!
DG, I have no idea what you mean: I'm an Electronics Engineerm not Mechanical, hence my need for help with all but the simplest of car tasks. 

Ron.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

I didn't think you were hinting Ron. Just thought I would state my circumstances, as I happen to be nearby. 
In theory, if theres enough space - undo pinch bolt and pull balljoints down and away from the steering knuckle. Grind the top or bottom of the retaining rivets off, so the ball joints can be pulled out of the end of the wishbones. Then slide the new ones in and use three bolts with locking nuts to secure them in place.
Not difficult, just a bit time consuming and a bit awkward. Probably an hour a side for someone with the correct tools.

[Lazydocker]

I wish I could commit to help Ron (being relatively local too) but am so busy at the moment I don't know what day of the week it is!

[Bigron]

Aw, thanks for the thought, LD. I'd take myself off to Serek's but with my coolant leak I'd never make it!
Also, of course, having just had four new tyres fitted, I don't want to drive very far until the ball joints are replaced and the tracking/camber done.

Ron.

[BazaJT]

Yes if the wishbones[bushes]are fit for purpose then I'd go with just replacing the balljoints-as I stated in the other thread it is in fact what I did when my car failed on a balljoint.They can be done without removing the wishbone from the car which saves a bit on the expense.

[TheBoy]

I have replaced the balljoints on genuine GM wishbones before (as part of a full refurb).

Drill out rivets, and nut and bolt new ones in.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Me too. Just wasn't sure it could be done in situ, but Baza has done it, which is good news. Makes it a relatively straightforward job.
I ground the heads off the rivets rather than drilling them out, but don't suppose it matters much.

[Doctor Gollum]

Does still require geometry set up, as there's about a mm of slop on all three bolt holes.

Those ATP ones are more cost effective if unsure of bush condition... Clearly your MoT tester was blind or drunk or both, so a pass is clearly no guarantee of condition.

Put another way, you can spend £15-25 on the ball joints, plus two hours labour plus set up, or spend another £35-40 and obtain new wishbone bushes, drop links and track rods, spend the same on labour and set up and be good for another £20k

[TheBoy]

But we all know the ATP ones are unacceptably shite. And as the cost is in the alignment (and fitting if you need to pay a garage), they end up being an expensive experiment.

[Doctor Gollum]

But we all know the ATP ones are unacceptably shite. And as the cost is in the alignment (and fitting if you need to pay a garage), they end up being an expensive experiment.

With respect, they serve a purpose, and others have found them perfectly adequate. Have either of your car's had them fitted?

[powerslinky]

But we all know the ATP ones are unacceptably shite. And as the cost is in the alignment (and fitting if you need to pay a garage), they end up being an expensive experiment.

  told yer the "purists" would be slagging 'em 

Not really an "experiment "  TB  as several Oofers have had decent results & mileage out of these.  I used to fit as much OE stuff as I could  . . .but a set of GM bones comes to more than I paid for car 

[terry paget]

All my Omegas are running on ATP wishbones, track rods and drop links. A set lasts me about 30K miles, and costs £80. If a car of mine lasts 3 years I am pleased, and am happy to fit it with new wishbones. What with rust in the rear shock turrets, rust in the cills, plus other nasty surprises, I run them from year to year, MOT to MOT.

 In the past I have spent £70 on one wishbone, only to have it fail within a year. I don't know how ATP do them at the price.