duker996 · Dec 31, 2010

Had an advisory notice on my MOT saying "offside drag link end ball joint has slight play".

Would i be correct in saying this is the track rod end? And if so is it easier to replace the complete thing instead of playing around with the rubber?

jamesmartin · Dec 31, 2010

depends whether joint is part of drop arm or draglink ,if part of drop arm you would really need to remove drop arm first as ball joint seat is tricky to remove although i have done them with drop arm on vehicle definately should be replaced as will drop off sooner or later

duker996 · Dec 31, 2010

jamesmartin said:
depends whether joint is part of drop arm or draglink ,if part of drop arm you would really need to remove drop arm first as ball joint seat is tricky to remove although i have done them with drop arm on vehicle definately should be replaced as will drop off sooner or later

You've got me there!! I have no idea!! All i know is what they wrote! How is a novice like me to find out, other than going to garage?

nick2303 · Dec 31, 2010

i always ask them to mark any defects with yellow chalk when mot'd..
they usually oblige without complaint..
makes it loads easier to correct faults..
if its on steering, get someone to wiggle steering wheel while you look for excessive movement in linkages...

bustersbus · Dec 31, 2010

Ye could try getting a hold of the bar from below then try pushing upwards (and downwards) to see if any play.
Ye might as well replace it if it's gone. Dunno if this helps any...

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f41/drag-link-ball-joint-renewal-82152.html

50 pence · Dec 31, 2010

duker996 said:
Had an advisory notice on my MOT saying "offside drag link end ball joint has slight play".

Would i be correct in saying this is the track rod end? And if so is it easier to replace the complete thing instead of playing around with the rubber?

The offside ball joint, ( on a TD5 D2 ), is clamped onto the end of the drag link, the nearside is adjustable/replacable.

Many say that, even if the nearside one is gone its best to replace the whole thing, however, I replaced the nearside one, and, after 2 years, the offside is still ok. ( I,ll know at the end of Jan, as its MOT time ).

Be sure that its the drag link and not the track controll arm, as some testers can get these mixed up.

Del.

duker996 · Dec 31, 2010

nick2303 said:
i always ask them to mark any defects with yellow chalk when mot'd..
they usually oblige without complaint..
makes it loads easier to correct faults..
if its on steering, get someone to wiggle steering wheel while you look for excessive movement in linkages...

That sounds a simple but very good idea! I will be asking them to do that from now on

duker996 · Dec 31, 2010

bustersbus said:
Ye could try getting a hold of the bar from below then try pushing upwards (and downwards) to see if any play.
Ye might as well replace it if it's gone. Dunno if this helps any...

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f41/drag-link-ball-joint-renewal-82152.html

That looks a top guide there, will defintely be using it, thanks.

duker996 · Dec 31, 2010

Thanks Del. I should have said its the disco 1 200tdi. But i think the only answer is to get under it an have a wiggle an pull around! No doubt i'll be back on here asking which bit is which!

nick2303 · Dec 31, 2010

that reminds me... need a new lump of chalk... he used all mine up marking the sills that needed repair...
replaced whole sill both sides... i think he just liked doin grafitti the full length both sides...
lol...

discool · Dec 31, 2010

MOT testers must be having a purge, back in October I had a notice my first ever that the n/s track rod end has "slight play the ball joint" it was only a year old I replaced it just before the previous MOT because of a split shroud.

I will wait till the sun shines again in the spring to see what is what.

duker996 · Dec 31, 2010

nick2303 said:
that reminds me... need a new lump of chalk... he used all mine up marking the sills that needed repair...
replaced whole sill both sides... i think he just liked doin grafitti the full length both sides...
lol...

Maybe a 4" brush and a pot of yellow paint would have been the answer!!

nick2303 · Dec 31, 2010

til of waxoyle ???
dont think hed fall for that one though... lol

duker996 · Dec 31, 2010

I was meaning paint instead of chalk! Seems there was alot of marking to do!!

50 pence · Dec 31, 2010

When I first picked my Disco up, it had a new mot on it with an advisory for " slight play in the drag link ball joint ".

After 12 months, I had it mot,d, ( at my local mot place ), and the tester didnt pick it up !. ( I changed it anyway as my family use the car ).

Del.

Lyndon · Dec 31, 2010

duker996 said:
That looks a top guide there, will defintely be using it, thanks.

I totally agree, its amazing how much easier thing are when there are pictures!

duker996 · Jan 3, 2011

Is this the right part guys?

bustersbus · Jan 3, 2011

duker996 said:
Is this the right part guys?

That'll be yer steering drop arm ball joint.....

http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f41/drop-arm-ball-joint-renewal-63811.html

duker996 · Jan 3, 2011

So which is the drag link joint?? Feeling a wee bit thick now :doh:

bustersbus · Jan 3, 2011

duker996 said:
So which is the drag link joint?? Feeling a wee bit thick now :doh:

There might be a clue in the links ah stuck up

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