Need some parts info

[Mullster]

Hello,
I need to replace the front ball joints on my 03 STM Phoenix, could somebody tell me what car the front upright came from and what the type numbers for the new bushes are. I may as well replace the steering joints as well, do they have a metric or imperial thread normally? Also does anybody know which car the steering column came out of ?

Regards,
Peter

[petercoll]

Got any pics we can see ? There are a number of options .....

Pete

[Mullster]

DSCN3098.jpg

DSCN3099.jpg

Hi,
here are a couple of pics of the items that I mentioned, hopefully somebody could identify them for me. They do not look like any of the usual clubbie parts used in Australia.

Regards,
Peter

[matt_gsxr]

Looks to me like a Mk2 escort front upright that has been cut down.

Quoting the Striker build manual:
Mini Metro (Late) Top wishbone knuckle joints (for rocker arms)
Sherpa Van Track Rod end, part No QR1774 R.H. Thread (for lower wishbones) [mine needed a few threads trimming down]


The trackrod ends are more tricky, and it depends which upright (different taper) and which steering rack (metric or imperial thread) you have..

I wrote some notes on this a while back which might be useful:
Escort MkII Escort are M14 with the metric (large) taper. (this also include granadas to 1987, Cortinas MkIII and Mk V to 1982). FT722 , QR1834

Capri MkI, MkII, MkIII all up to September 1987, also some Escort Mk I and other fords (Fiesta up to 1993, Orion and Escort MkIII and MkIV, to 1990). are imperial thread and imperial (small) taper. Part number; Ford 6128814 & 5021410. Direct Part Number DR2377, AMR1205

MkII RS2000 uses MkII Escort rack and Capri uprights and so uses a hybrid TRE (M14 thread, but small taper). These are also known as “green” TRE, as they are (you guessed it) Green (at least the For original one, this doesn’t apply to the equivalent pattern parts!). AMR4118. 1564468. AM260

I hope that helps.

Matt

[Fizzer]

I spoke to BGH last year, (maybe Steve, not sure) about the bottom ball joint - he warned against the sherpa part, something to do with the rubber boot getting trapped and failing v quickly.

Not sure if it was just a line to get me to buy the part off them but it worked (still not fitted though)!

Andy

[petercoll]

I would say Mk2 Escort struts aswell. Don't think that Steering column is Escort though - possible Ford Sierra ?

Pete

[matt_gsxr]

Column is Sierra on an IRS Phoenix (well is on mine anyway).

That doesn't affect the choice of ball joints though.

Regarding the trapping of the low Sherpa ball joint, agreed it is a problem.
The common solution is to use the angry grinder to wedge the upright.

http://craigsphoenix.se7ens.net/build.suspension.htm

You can find this in a few build diaries and is the standard modification.

If BGH have a balljoint that doesn't require this modification and is a retrofit, then that would be useful information to share.

Matt

[RobMsport]

Spot on --- all the above . Definitely Escort M2 upright which has the Sherpa part number Matt has listed . I also ground off the upright edge rather than use a non OEM part . Quality is usually an issue.

[Jek]

I think the BGH part is a modified version of the Sherpa ball joint, with some material removed to stop the boots being pinched. Not sure how much a Sherpa ball joint costs, but I thought the BGH items were pretty expensive - about £25 each, iirc.

I might take a little material off my uprights all the same, as even with the BGH balljoints, its a pretty tight around the boot on full droop.

[Lee Champion]

Just whip one off and take it to a motor factors and check, mine is on 03 STM car too. Thats what I did, RAW told me what it was and I double checked as I bought it. Unfortunately I have a reall crap memory for what it was