Car Parts!

jj_5

Hiya guys, took Martin's advice and went to a council MOT test station which failed my car on a few minor issues, one of these was described (on the certificate they gave me) as:

"nearside front lower ball joint dust cover excessively damaged so that it no longer prevents the ingress of dirt"

The offside one is also damaged and described in the same way. I asked the guy how much to fix these and where would I get the parts. "they're around a tenner max" and I could get them from Pentland Parts apparently.

So 4 days and much searching later I can't find these anywhere. Pentland parts say they don't sell them, only the ball joint itself (which they tried to sell me). Halfords don't stock them and said I should go to Nissan (main dealer), Nissan said they don't sell them, and could only sell me the ball joint, which they said I should get done. I've also tried Sports Car Brakers and various scrappies all saying the same.

I'm just looking for other suggestions.. £316 quid Nissan were looking for for fitting the ball joint I don't have that sort of money lying around!

colino

If you're going to split the joint to change the gaiter, why not change the joint anyway? Unless its an usual one, it'll not be a fortune and with it being split, the wear has probably started anyway.

lil.smartie

Motaquip sell just the covers but to be fair if the cover is badly damaged the joint inside won't have the grease it needs and should be replaced too. Get a local indie garage to quote for the job, bet it's a lot cheaper than Nissan main dealer!

Kate

bartelbe

As others have said, what you're doing is a false economy. We had the dust cover go on a trackrod end and a droplink. Getting a new cover on was going to be a quite a pain, and all to get a a few hundred more miles out of a part which has more than likely been damaged by dirt/grit or is on its way out anyway.

As long as you are confident you can jack up the car safely (if you can't, go to a garage), these aren't difficult jobs. Just replace the whole part.

forgotmyname

What are the main dealers hourly rates £100+ ?

Goto a garage where its £40 or less and you will have halved the bill right away. Then buy OEM parts which is the same part from the same manufacturer but not in a posh nissan box for half as much.

Under £100 for the pair.

If the covers have let dirt and moisture in then its a waste of money paying to have the dust covers fitted. Get 2 new joints.

mattyprice4004

I love it when people want to know where to get cheap parts for their car... and don't actually tell us what the make and model of car is.

Awesome logic.

owen_money

Always buy OEM products as then you can be sure of the quality. Sometimes they are not more expensive, last longer and are safer

jj_5

Thanks very much guys for all your replies. The car is an 05 plate Primera 1769cc 1.8l 5 doors. Hourly rates for Nissan were £100 per hour yes, and charging 108 quid each for the parts. Where will I find a garage charging £40 per hour? Just pot luck I guess trying them all?

I will definitely take everyone's advice and get the ball joints done, just a matter of where and trying to find these parts on OEM

pogg000

you could try ebay?

epninety

forgotmyname wrote: »

Then buy OEM parts which is the same part from the same manufacturer but not in a posh nissan box for half as much.

Not arguing with your general principle - not using genuine parts without good reason - but OEM is what it says it is, original equipment manufacturer.

It DOES NOT mean it's the same part in a different box at half the price. It means it's a part that will (should) fit, manufactured by the same company. It does not mean it is to the exact same design, tolerance or quality control procedures. It might well not be made on the same continent, let alone the same factory.

I've seen several examples of parts from well known and respected manufacturers, where the 'OEM' part is of a different design than the manufacturers branded part.

boingsaidzebedee

Don't forget that after changing the trackrod end balljoints you will need to have the wheel tracking done.
Factor in this cost.If you decide not to bother then you may have dodgy steering and will be paying out for new tyres after a few hundred miles.
Changing the balljoints is relatively easy on most cars but setting the correct position takes a bit of skill and knowhow.
May open a little discussion here about manual and computerised tracking methods.