Track control joints?

[Deany1986]

Hi all,

When i had my car in for its service it was picked up that my rear inner track control joints were starting to wear. Few questions:

When I replace these am I just as well to stick with OEM parts or should I be upgrading ? Also what would be the effects on handeling when these are worn ?

Surprised these were needing changed as car only has 10,000 miles or is this normal ?

Cheers,

Kev

[robin]

What car, and do you track it/drive it hard often?

Cheers,
Robin

[Deany1986]

its an Exige S, only on track couple times a year and some spirited road runs.

Kev

[robin]

Mine have been replaced at lower mileage and before I owned it (i.e. when it had had almost no abuse ). Not sure what they make them out of!!

I think I would replace with the OE part, unless it's very close in price when compared to the "uprated" items (not sure what the options are for the S2 exige, but I suppose the usual suspects sell the usual spherical bearing kits). The OE part is easily good enough for the odd track day and road use.

If your car has balljoints on the inboard end, then the dust/grit rubber boots on those are bound to work better than the sock-type rubbers that you get with the uprated parts.

If your car has the brace bar then you're already looking at a spherical bearing on the inboard end I think, and this may well be the cause of the reduced lifetime. If you're not a heavy track user you could consider removing the brace bar and getting normal balljoints fitted at the inboard end, assuming those are available for non-brace bar cars? You can always keep the brace bar + two bolts that hold it on and pass on to new owner or refit when you decide you wanted it.

Cheers,
Robin

[Deany1986]

Cheers Robin,

think I will stick with the OE part then. Just need to get it booked into Murrays at some point, well when the weathers a bit better for the drive over...could be a while

Kev

[robin]

You can call them for pricing ahead of time, and ask them if your car has the brace bar fitted at the same time; then you can make an informed decision on whether to get them to fit the OE parts or whether you should buy the "uprated" parts.

Cheers,
Robin

[Cisco]

Kevin,

Your car has the spherical joints (rose joints) on the inner mounting points.

Lotus part number is A120D0036F and they are about £95 for the pair.

Straight forward replacement but will need geo to be sure your toe in/out is correct afterwards.

Tell tale they are worn is tendency to weave on M'way in a straight line.

Take care,

Frank

[Deany1986]

thanks for the info guys, will prob try get the car into CLCM for a geo after they are fitted, could be doing with getting one done anyway.

Cheers,

Kev