[urq] Rear Ball Joint Source

[Louis-Alain_Richard at computerhorizons.com]

Hi Rick,
(BTW, my car is the little sister of yours, DA900463...)

WRT the ball joints. 2 years ago I hit the same wall but a friendly UK 
lister came to my rescue. He sold me a complete set of 4 new ball joints 
(in fact, 2 of each # since they are the same front or rear). This was my 
sole solution and I agreed to buy the set even if only one was really dead 
(left rear me too...). Maybe he still has some set left for you ? Price 
was real good, even with the freight added.

If there's no other source avalaible, a swap for a complete rear 4000Q 
suspension is mandatory. You will need the subframe, the a-arms, the brake 
cables, the calipers, the struts housings (you keep your actual springs 
and shocks + your 5 bolts wheel hubs, discs and pads). After that, your 
car's rear end will be a lot like the 84-87 models. It will be easier and 
a lot cheaper to install new parts if needed in the future. But it's not 
an easy job, as you can imagine. If need be, a few listers just did that, 
so there is BTDT on this.

There is maybe, I say maybe, another solution: the only dimensionnal 
difference between the urq ball joints and the front Coupe ball joints is 
the shank diameter (18mm on the urQ, 17 mm on the Coupe). You see where I 
am heading, right? You can't install them like that (one lister who wants 
to remain nameless did that... and lost a wheel!) but one creative 
metalworker might be able to modify an urQ strut to clamp firmly the 17 mm 
ball joint... Beware this is a critical suspension part, and there is huge 
loads in that area, so one must be VERY careful when playing with these 
parts... No known BTDT on this however.

Good luck!

Louis-Alain






"Rick Petrow" <rpetrow at comcast.net> 
Sent by: urq-bounces at audifans.com
2004-10-20 22:10

To
<urq at audifans.com>
cc

Subject
[urq] Rear Ball Joint Source






HELP!!!!!!

 I need to replace the LR ball joint on my early series '83, #900461, but
have run into a brick wall. All of the usual sources in the US have come 
up
with "Not available" for the following part:

        857 407 366 C or E

  * Rod @ TPC has no listing for the earlier model

  * Jim @ Blau was helpful in explaining the differences of the C & E 
parts
but would have to special order and wait 5 - 6 weeks

  * The only website that even listed the part was Impex for $137

  * Dealer wants $179 and would have to check availability.


 Can anyone give me a lead on a reliable source for this????????


 Many thanks in advance.

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