Hi All
I was wondering if anyone could advise on the following: I own one of 4 HQs that I know of that are based in the U.K. A few years ago I took the car for its MOT test (U.K roadworthiness test) and the tester gave me an advisory notice for slight play in the steering idler arm support.
Advisory means not unsafe and not enough to fail, but the owner may wish to rectify.
So on the next trip to Aus I bought two from very reputable sources. I got two because I'd read on here that the quality of the reproduction ones varies. The first had more play the the original and the second was about the same as the original when fitted to the car. I spoke to the the guy I got one of them from and he said that due to tolerances in aftermarket items there would be some play no matter what.
So here is the thing. I have developed a slight clunk from the nearside front on cornering and some braking, and the tester this year has advised slight play in the near side lower ball joint. Again, passable but almost certainly the source of the clunk. My question is if I source replacement ball joints on the next trip home, I assume they will be after-market and is there a chance I'll go to the cost of getting them plus fitting back here only to end up with no less play than I've got now?
I want to get rid of the clunk if I can but I don't want another waste of time and money if I can avoid it. Any advice gratefully received.

Get onto Greg at Classicozwreck. He has NOS balljoints.

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If we all had the same (good) taste, who would buy all the Fords?

Hi,
Ball joints are also a trap because there are several different types and sizes.
Originally they were 2" from memory.

There are oversize ones which you don't want to fit unless you have good reason
( like the control arm holle is worn.)
other types have a straight knurl on them which make them really hard to fit and make the lower control arm usless for further replacements so avoid these.
with the top joints these don't wear anywhere near the same rate as the top so unless the rubber boots have perished then these should be alright.
Replacements of these again vary, mostly you can only get the "FORD" design more bulky ones which don't look right.

I find the best way to replace ball lower joints is to remove the whole control arm and use a press to install the new ball joint.
There is a a special Holden G clamp thing to do it with also, but very very few garages have these, this includes Holden dealerships. my son worked at a dealership and I was horified at the method they used to fit ball joints.
Do your self a favor remove the whole control arm and press them, it takes a bit longer but is a better job than most garages will do.
If you are thinking of exchanging your lower control arms with fresh ones be aware that HQ are different to HZ ones becaues the size and shape of the shockie holes is different.
If you are having trouble finding that front end clunk, look at your break pad side clearances or caliper slide wear, also look at your chassis to body mounting at the front, these mountings sometimes collapse and go metal to metal.
One more thing the windscreen seals fail and rattle with body flex too.
Good luck, Mike

Purpul Police

Hi Guys
I was hoping that either the tolerances on these were tighter or NOS was available. That is good news. Mike , I have had a couple of experienced guys look the front end over and the ball joint is all they can find.

Holdenon I would love to catch up with you. We live outside Plymouth which is hardly a central location, so if this doesn't suit we are going to a huge classic car show near London called 'Classics on the common'It is on 28th July. If you Google it you can have a look at last years show.
It is a good day if you can make it. Last time I went a family from Tanzania came up to me and said that they had had one when they lived there. Then a Jamaican guy came up and told me he had one growing up there. Its amazing how many people from all over the world have had experiences with Holdens

Holdenon

Mate I have to say that due to the rarity of these cars here I don't know of anyone that specialises in Holdens but there are lots of classic car specialists some which do nothing but gearboxes.Depending on what box it is, there are also garages that specialise in American stuff.

I haven't had anything major go wrong, but what I normally do is take the car and get the guy I use to identify the problem then send for whatever parts I need and then go back to finish the job.

Too bad you won't be around on the 28th. Give us a shout if you are over again !