Ball Joints / Tie Rods

[jazzie]

Has anybody used ball joints or tie rods on there TR7 1980 DHC that were used on a deomestic vehicle over here in Canada. My supplier is currently backorder on Ball joints and Tie rods and was wondering if you could use anotehr nameplares suspension parts on a TR7.

Thanks

[Workshop Help]

We use the ball joints and tie rod ends from The Roadster Factory as they have a zerk fitting for periodic greasing. This is important because the rubbery top boot deteriorates at an alarming rate leaving the top of the ball exposed to noxious elements. Things like abrasive dirt, grime, road salts, water, all of which lead to sooner than anticipated replacement. At least having the zerk fitting present allows a prolonging of service.

Mind you, when a rubber/vinyl/neoprene part is some 20+ years old, it is understandable that it cannot last forever. However, when that same new part crumbles under it's own weight before the car can even back out of the machine shed is something else. I will have Caleb do some research the next time he drives a load to Dallas at the large NAPA parts warehouse there. Surely, we can find a better and more commonly available alternative for these low quality ball joint and tie rod boots.

We'll keep you advised.

Mildred Hargis

[Ferris]

Have you tried the usual suspects - Moss, Victoria British, British Parts Northwest? All of them should have these on the shelf.

For what it's worth, I got mine from B.P.N. and was surprised at the quality - really quite good.

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Kevin Anderson
1980 TR7 DHC
1974.5 MGB GT
1990 Jaguar XJ40

[jclay (RIP 2018)]

I got mine from John's Cars out of Dallas. Had them the day after I ordered them. No grease zerks.

Have fun, drive fast & safe, be kewl,

jclay

[bmcecosse]

Tie-rods ??? Track rod ends maybe !

[Workshop Help]

To echo from an Englishman's play as recited by an Englishman, "When will the English learn to speak English?"

Mildred Hargis

[jazzie]

Thanks Mildred,

I know in North America we have manufactures like Moog , TRW and Spicer which all supply to the aftermarket and OEM business but they don't seem to have any lisitng for my TR7 DHC. I was hoping someone might have convert to an Domestic suspension and I could use those parts.

The worse case is getting them from Vic and other suppliers but the cost of shipping and customs is getting crazy.

Thanks

[silverseven]

Jazzie, have you tried contacting obsolete auto up in Port Edward??
(kinda local to you, maybe save you some shipping charges too)


To date, I've ben very satisfied with them, and the owner has reportably owned a couple of wedges in the past......



www.obsoleteauto.com

Ron.

[Workshop Help]

True to our word, we have some additional information about the tie rod end and ball joint boots.

We wandered into the local auto parts house this morning and went back to the aisle that has the large selection of assorted automotive hardware items marketed under the 'HELP!' logo. We found two packages, one of which is part # 13566 containing two tie rod dust boots, 1/2" and 9/16" for $4.99US plus tax.






The other package contained a 5/8" and a much larger dust boot for the same price. We took with us a ball joint, tie rod end, and caliper for measurements. Both the 1/2" and 9/16" dust boots fit the tie rod end snugly, while the larger 9/16" dust boot fits the ball joint.

We also have in our parts box the dust boots, part # 5-1900 from Victoria British that sell for 2.95 each.


The larger hole is too small to fit the base of the ball joint without tearing. While I appreciate it's stout materials compared to the Chinese neoprene of the HELP! items, we cannot get it to fit.

Fitting the dust boots is elementery once the tie rod end has been separated from the tie rod.



The ball joint, however, requires the disassembly of the wheel hub, brake, sway bar, and stub axle/damper tube.




But, what must be done, must be done.


We suggest the dust boot be coated on the inside with rubber grease to facilitate it's installation and prolong it's life. Bear in mind that the quaility of Chinese neoprene will not be the best. Were it made from a better material such as heavy vinyl, we would be far happier. However, these days we have to take what we can get and expect to revisit it again soon. This is why having extra dust boots in the parts box makes good sense.

Mildred Hargis