Do I need new ball joints? Photo attached!

[MEZZZ]

I would like to start by saying I have never had a wheel off a car in my life except to change a flat tire.

What started as the task of replacing my front brake pads has turned into a complete front end rebuild. My rotors were shot, calipers trash. The right side pads were just "floating:, no pins or clips holding them in place. I decided at the time to replace my struts, then I figured I might as well do the bushings since I was that far.

I am pulling it apart piece by piece and cleaning 32 years of filth from it. I have been through 2 bottles of degreaser, 2 rolls of paper towels, 3 wire brushes and a pack of sandpaper. I had to go out and buy a compressor, air tools, tie rod seperator, spring compressors, etc, etc.

I got the tie rods apart and attacked the ball joints. Check out the photo.

Do you think they are shot? What might have caused the one to be ground down like that? It looks like someone took a grinding wheel to it!

After cleaning and sanding, I am using self etching primer and painting everything. Here is a pic of my hillbilly hanger I made this morning.

Here is another of the parts I have completed.

I am using Illuminas and Eibach springs, Toyota S12 calipers, cross drilled rotors, SS brake lines, 15" Rewinds with Toyo Proxes 225-50-15's.

Energy Suspension bushings with the exception of the T/C Rods, I am using the ball and socket kit from MSA with new rubber bushings in the rear.

I have new tie rod ends and Moog ball joints on the way. I am down to the rack, not sure as to buy a rebuilt or attempt to open it up myself.

This will be the casual weekend driver. Is there anything else I should be doing while into it this far? Thanks for looking

Edited September 13, 2009 by MEZZZ

[MEZZZ]

Sorry, I forgot to ask another question. My brake lines "bridge tubes", the hard line between the shock tower and the calipers need replacing. The nuts were stripped clean and I could not get them to turn. In hindsight, I should have used some vice grips on them. I ended up cutting them, figuring I was going with S/S lines and Toyota calipers and I would just buy a new set.

I have done ALOT of searching and cannot find these. MSA has one side but not the other and I have had no luck finding them online. Can someone point me in the right direction by chance? Thanks in advance.

[Walter Moore]

Looks like the one side was ground down. Maybe someone lost a wheel at speed.

The bridge tubes as you put it can be bent by hand. Buy a tubing bender and a flaring tool. You will need to use 10mm Japanese brake line. I made the bends in the middle of a much longer tube, 1 foot, perhaps 2 foot. I used one tube for each part. Then I cut the ends to the correct length, pushed the fittings onto the S bend, and re-flared the ends.

It seems like I had to straighten each side just a little to get the flaring tool to work, then bend them back by hand.

[MEZZZ]

Thats about the only thing I could think of Walter, there was no damage (evident) to the car, front valance, everything was fine. I now not need to wonder why my car handled so poorly. Between that and my bump stops (they were literally dust!) and the worn out bushings (or no bushing in one case), it is no longer a mystery to me.

Have to admit, it is a little disheartening to think of my car skidding down the road on the left ball joint like that.

[itsadatsun240z]

It's coming along very nicely I'm jealous to be honest I wish I could take the time to tear mine down and put that much work and effort into it but it's my daily for the moment and the lack of garage space to work on it in is another obstacle. Hopefully once I get done working so many doubles I can actually take a deep breathe and relax and come lend a hand. Is the boy helping you out with it as you get more involved I see him taking a huge interest in it.

You've got my number just call me whenever and I'll let you know what I have going on.

[hogie]

I bought the shortest japanese brake line from autozone and bent it up by hand. Those lines are cake to replace

[ezzzzzzz]

Ball joints are inexpensive and easy to replace. I use TRW since they seem to last longer than other options.

[manny1973]

You can get the bridge tube brake lines from Arizona Z or maybe they are called

Zsource of Arizona. I got some from them last year.

Edited September 18, 2009 by manny1973

[zed2]

Here are the original and superceded part numbers. Last time I checked, all were available via Nissan. There also may be some aftermarket options available.

Front Brake Line - Hard L Or R 46202-89911 46212-89911 46212-01A11 46212-89911

Rear Brake Line - Hard L Or R 46202-89913 46202-N4500 46202-H7025 46202-N4500

[MEZZZ]

Thanks guys for the advice. I took the Toyota caliper and new s/s brake line to Autozone with the old hard line. I was able to match up a replacement line very easy and cheap too..$3.99 each. I will use some line pliers to attempt the bends.

The new Moog ball joints came in a couple days ago, I have all pieces in place to start to reassemble, now all I need is time, my wife is hammering me right now to take her to the chinese buffet Tomorrow, baseball in the a.m then back to the office to get caught up. Maybe Sunday

[Maples71240Z]

Sorry, I forgot to ask another question. My brake lines "bridge tubes", the hard line between the shock tower and the calipers need replacing. The nuts were stripped clean and I could not get them to turn. In hindsight, I should have used some vice grips on them. I ended up cutting them, figuring I was going with S/S lines and Toyota calipers and I would just buy a new set.

I have done ALOT of searching and cannot find these. MSA has one side but not the other and I have had no luck finding them online. Can someone point me in the right direction by chance? Thanks in advance.

I bought one of these http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_rdc=1&item=120445595548&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m38.l1313%26_nkw%3D120445595548%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&viewitem= and its a slick pair of bending pliers, It does all the seller says, and more

Edited September 18, 2009 by Maples71240Z