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[Kevin Wood]

It was fitted, brand new a month ago. I can only think that I didn't tighten the pinch bolt enough, but it seemed pretty tight this morning whenI undone it to refit the balljoint into the strut.

If the pinch bolt is in at all, then the ball joint pin should be locked in place by its' shoulder. Suggests to me that you've been sold a duff ball joint, TBH.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Balljoint is TRW brand, from GSF if my memory serves. Appeared to be fine when inspected this morning.
To my mind there are two possibilities.
1. Balljoint is manufactured with not enough shoulder to be retained by the bolt - unlikely in my opinion, but I will check.
2. Ive made probably my worst mistake in 40 years of working on my own cars. When I fitted that wishbone I had a really bad day, was knackered, smacked myself In the face with the brake caliper (don't ask  ) and had a hell of a job getting the balljoint to line up with the hole in the bottom of the knuckle.
I'm wondering if I actually didn't insert it far enough for it to be retained by the bolt  !?!?  - seems bordering on the impossible to me, but I cant think of another possibility apart from number 1.

[Nick W]

Balljoint is TRW brand, from GSF if my memory serves. Appeared to be fine when inspected this morning.
To my mind there are two possibilities.
1. Balljoint is manufactured with not enough shoulder to be retained by the bolt - unlikely in my opinion, but I will check.
2. Ive made probably my worst mistake in 40 years of working on my own cars. When I fitted that wishbone I had a really bad day, was knackered, smacked myself In the face with the brake caliper (don't ask  ) and had a hell of a job getting the balljoint to line up with the hole in the bottom of the knuckle.
I'm wondering if I actually didn't insert it far enough for it to be retained by the bolt  !?!? - seems bordering on the impossible to me, but I cant think of another possibility apart from number 1.

If the pinchbolt was still in place, that's the only possible cause. Stop wondering, give yourself a kick up the arse, fit the thing properly and chalk it up to experience. I like to knock them in place with a decent size hammer, and to shine a torch through the pinchbolt hole to ensure that Mr Cockup hasn't visited.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

The wishbone will want to spring upwards and it will feel 'firmly in place', especially if the knuckle is anything less than smooth and 'as new' inside. As above worry not, and have a pint. 

[Nick W]

The wishbone will want to spring upwards and it will feel 'firmly in place', especially if the knuckle is anything less than smooth and 'as new' inside. As above worry not, and have a pint. 

The taper pin is a tight fit in the hole and needs more than the spring in the wishbone bushes to be fully seated. If it isn't properly clamped in place the weight of the car will push it apart. This usually happens when a lot of lock is applied, or sometimes on speed bumps.

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Yes  My experience has been a mix of both 'christ that needed a belt and a half to get the taper in' and 'ohh, here we go, best go get the mallet - oh, hang on, it's plopped in already!' 

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Thanks fellas, I feel a bit better about it now. Will have the front wheels oof tomorrow and double check both sides are ok. 

[Kevin Wood]

Thanks fellas, I feel a bit better about it now. Will have the front wheels oof tomorrow and double check both sides are ok. 

When it's fully home, you should find the pin on the ball joint is just proud of the top of the hole in the knuckle.

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

Pretty sure that is now the case both sides Kevin, but will check carefully. 

[annihilator]

oe battery gauge and oil pressure gauge "white dials"

late calibra ?
did that to my cav 4x4 turbo back in the day.
John.

[Tick Tock]

First day for the freshly taxed CDX. Took it for a drive to Chris Mullins in Gloucester for a full geo set up after its suspension rebuild. It felt so good to drive, almost like new and so responsive. A few adjustments later and it felt even better.

4.5 years off the road has certainly helped, working on it when in the right mood / weather and no timescales.

[EMD]

oe battery gauge and oil pressure gauge "white dials"

late calibra ?
did that to my cav 4x4 turbo back in the day.
John.

Id never seen those gauges before and i presumed they were aftermarket
parts .. stamped GM and fits in place of the cubby hole perfect .

[annihilator]

these are they



John.

[EMD]

these are they



John.

Yup exactly the same , not got the oil gauge wired up yet though 

[Shackeng]

these are they



John.

Looks nothing like either of mine!