10 replies to this topic

[Mike Summers]

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With Stuarts permission, I am posting this pic of the upper control arm parts for my project LeGrand MK10 Formula Ford. No one here in the US has been able to ID the origin of the parts so I thought I would have the forum have a go. Very simply, there is the cup at the right of the pic that goes into the end of the control arm. Then the ball joint is inserted, and then the threaded upper cup is spun in, tightened to desired tension. The threaded end of the ball joint goes into the upper end of what I believe to be a Triumph front upright. Anyone guess where the origin of the cups and ball joints are from. Thanks

Mike Summers
California

[Ray Bell]

Possibly a Vanguard?

Vanguard tie-rod ends were commonly used into the top of Herald and Spitfire uprights, they had the right taper and size. But they were hefty things, is it possible that an early model was made with a rebuildable version rather than the sealed type of later years?

[ozdude]

Hard to tell the relative size, however Jaguar used a similar shaped ball for the bottom, outer front suspension on many of their models.

I've had plenty of fun over the years removing them from their respective suspension arms. Cheers, ozdude

Edit: On second thought, Mr Bells' suggestion of a rack and pinion tie rod end makes more sense.

Edited by ozdude, 13 December 2012 - 04:24.

[Catalina Park]

I just typed "Jaguar ball joint" into Google images and came up with a couple of similar looking parts... Take a look at http://www.terrysjag...uct/C22966.html

LandRover also comes up with a similar ball for the pitman arm.

[seldo]

I just typed "Jaguar ball joint" into Google images and came up with a couple of similar looking parts... Take a look at http://www.terrysjag...uct/C22966.html

LandRover also comes up with a similar ball for the pitman arm.

And if they are Jag items, make sure you use genuine Jag parts. I have seen cheap knock-off reproduction items that have a square shoulder instead of the gradual taper to the high point of the taper, and even on road-cars, they break right there!

[rbm]

Not sure what they are off, but I had a very similar problem when rebuilding the Revis 500 F3 car which used as strange and un-identifiable ball joints in the suspension (from <1951).

In the end after trying forums all over the world for info I was pointed towards a company called Amsteer who make ball joints for classic cars - even they could not identify what it was off - however they just made me new ones (and quite cheaply - no more than the cost of a standard joint)

disclaimer - I have nothing to do with this company bar being a happy customer.

Edited by rbm, 13 December 2012 - 09:16.

[BT 35-8]

Is there a circlip groove inside the housing please ??

[f1steveuk]

Not sure if it helps, but as part of my motor trade apprenticship, I had to work in the parts department. We were British Leyland, Rolls-Royce, Leyland commercial dealers, and as we had such a range, we were often brought parts to "match up", and these would be for all sorts of things ( a private Alvis Stalwart was my favourite!).

All of these ball-joints, steering trunions, swivel pins, kingpins etc tended to be made by Jonas Woodhead, and I built up a huge cross reference chart, as one Woodhead part would fit cars/vans or light trucks from a myriad of car makers.

My point is, I wouldn't be trying to round it down to a single road vehicle, but maybe a single maufacturer of the part, if that makes sense!?

[Mike Summers]

No sir, no circlip. The collar pictured at right fits in past the threaded section of the control arm. The collar is stepped on the back side and cannot pass through. The the ball joint is inserted, then the threaded top cup is installed and threaded to tension. The first collar just drops in and is held in place by a small lip of a smaller diameter.

m

Edited by Mike Summers, 13 December 2012 - 16:16.

[2Bob]

My friend Karl Knapp (now resident in Indonesia), ex LeGrand Formula C racer from the 60's, suggests you contact http://frankmonisemotors.com/ - he reckons they are familiar with many English car parts and their web site also has a photo of "last Le Grand formula ford built"! In your neck of the woods?

[Mike Summers]

Might be getting closer on this............a friend contacted me off list and believed that it is the same ball joint set up as used on Lotus 27 F Jr. cars. Maybe Hillman Imp or Triumph Hearld?? Any 27 owners out there?? Andrew Fellows??

I will send a pic to Frank at Monise Motors. Had not thought to check with him. I have his dad's Lotus 23 sitting in my garage.

ms