nicoflinta Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Guys, took my car to the garage today for a service and the told me there is play in the lower and top ball joints and they will need replacement soon. I told them I was going caravanning to Italy this year (July) and they said I should still go as they are still ok. Thoughts? I know some my say (and partly agree) to replace them before my holidays for added peace of mind, but they will be quite expensive Thanks Quote Nicolas - Discovery 3 towing a Buccaneer Schooner Kia Sedona 2. 2/Jeep Commander/Renault Grand Espace towing a Bailey Pageant S7 Limousin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz40 Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Guys, took my car to the garage today for a service and the told me there is play in the lower and top ball joints and they will need replacement soon. I told them I was going caravanning to Italy this year (July) and they said I should still go as they are still ok. Thoughts? I know some my say (and partly agree) to replace them before my holidays for added peace of mind, but they will be quite expensive Thanks Surely the definition of soon. ........ doesn't mean July For your safety and everyone else's I would have them replaced. Why also risk having a failure abroad. If they are expensive, ask the repairer for their best price to replace them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highlandman Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Personally I'd get them done sooner rather than later. Worn ball joints will affect the handling and also create rapid tyre wear. On the other hand I'd think that the garage would be advising you to replace them if they thought the wear is excessive Quote We fight not for glory, nor for wealth nor honours . .. but only and alone we fight for freedom, which no good man surrenders but with his life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marks Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Towing a van puts a lot of strain on all component's of a car, you are going a long way, I would definately have them fixed, it would also be an MOT failure. Quote Land Rover Discovery and Conquerer 630 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicoflinta Posted February 4, 2014 Author Share Posted February 4, 2014 That's the thing, car passed MOT in December and the Dealership (Jeep official) said there was some light play on one and play on the other. He didn't sound too worried and he said they would last long enough to go to Italy. So, one part of me thinks they are showing some early signs of wear and should be ok, but on the other hand I've seen some youtube videos of what could happen if they snap. I'm not going to be towing soon, but having an incident with the family is not something I'd like. Quote Nicolas - Discovery 3 towing a Buccaneer Schooner Kia Sedona 2. 2/Jeep Commander/Renault Grand Espace towing a Bailey Pageant S7 Limousin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 That's the thing, car passed MOT in December and the Dealership (Jeep official) said there was some light play on one and play on the other. He didn't sound too worried and he said they would last long enough to go to Italy. So, one part of me thinks they are showing some early signs of wear and should be ok, but on the other hand I've seen some youtube videos of what could happen if they snap. I'm not going to be towing soon, but having an incident with the family is not something I'd like. Get a second opinion from another garage. My Sprinter has had play in the lower ball joints for the last 5 years, it's not got any worse, it's still ok for MOTs etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredsautos Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 Sprinters are specifically mentioned by vosa as having a seemingly excessive amount of play in a balljoint, this is considered normal and acceptable. The mot test for balljoints does allow for quite a lot of free play before a refusal, but from a service point basically usually there shouldn't be any and I would get it sorted soon, definitely before going abroad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdman101 Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 If you have been given a written advise the tester has cleared himself if anything happens. I would not hesitate to get them changed before going as if you encounter problems while abroad it will be more inconvenient to get sorted and probably more expensive. Quote Swift Archway Ruby. Santa Fe Auto Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griff Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 If it was mine I would get them changed before Italy. Only gotta pay once. Quote Living the dream, well more of a nightmare ~ Griff Wheels at the front ~ Discovery 4 Towing Machine Wheels at the back ~ 4 of ‘em Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CommanderDave Posted February 5, 2014 Share Posted February 5, 2014 (edited) A cheaper option would be not use a main stealer but a independent garage charging a third of the price per hour for labour. The parts are Mercedes and a saving can be made using comparable parts . They are the same parts as the Jeep Grand Cherokees 2005+ . Commanders are known for front end knocks on the ball joints. Dave Edited February 5, 2014 by CommanderDave Quote Jeep Commander 3. 0 V6 CRD Isuzu D- Max Utah Auto Elddis Crusader Storm 2000 Kgs, Unipart Royal Atlas Mover . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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