I've just changed my lower arm for a second hand spare I had lying around as the rubber boot on the ball joint was split. I had a really difficult job to get it all back together, especially to line the arm back up into the crossmember. In the end I had to get some help and use a couple of pinch bars.
The ball joint in the arm I took off was stiff and the one I replaced it with was easy to move around. I've been told that the stiffer the ball joint is the better ? and it now seems that I would have been better off replacing the boot on the original one.
I also reused the poly bushes from the original arm. Is this ok ?
The reason I ask is that at slow speeds I now have slight pulsating of the brake pedal as if the ABS is kicking in but the light does not come on in the dash. Breaking at speed seems fine.
Do the powerflex poly bushes come with new washers for the anti roll bar ?
Any advice ?

Cheers
Steve

 

it ll be ur abs one ov the sensors unplug the system above the turbo heat sheild if it gos away its up 2 u wether u plug it bak in buyn 2nd hand sensors isnt worth sh*t

 

its a new sensor on that wheel mat so i dont think thats the problem
steve

 

Hi Steve,
I would be inclined to refit your original arm and just change the rubber boot over. If you can move the ball joint easily then it is worn out its as simple as that, and will soon be making nasty knocking noises when going over bumps.
Did you have the slow speed brake judder prior to swapping arms over?

CheeRS, Mike.

 

Mike,

I didnt have any judder at all before swopping arms. I'm going to buy some new deflex bushes for the "old" arm and refit it.
I've got a new boot I can fit to it so it should be ok.
Seems the mistake I made was in thinking the looser the ball joint was the better. I'll change it over this week.

Cheers

Steve

ps do you use Woodfords in Totnes ? If so what they like ? I'm back in Chudleigh from the end of September and wanted the car checked over by a decent garage that knows Cosworths. I would have gone to MSD in Blackpool but they're a bit too far away.

 

Hi Steve,

Yes Woodford Garage Motorsport are pretty good with Cosworths. As well as their extensive stock of Cosworth parts they also have a couple of Ford RS trained mechanics on the garage side of things.

I know the owner, Simon Lester and he knows the marque inside out and he is a pretty good guy to talk to if you have problems either technical or from a parts point of view

If you are having problems refitting your bottom arm it is often easier to get both front wheels clear of the ground and slacken off the big nuts but dont remove them (22 or 24mm I think?) on the front of the anti roll bar, and slacken off the anti roll bar to body clamps a little. This will give you a little more movement.

When fitting new poly bushes dont forget to give them a liberal coat of copper grease, this will help them locate properly and tighten everything up if possible when car is on the ground at normal ride height.

CheeRS, Mike.