Lower ball joint

[Guest]

The lower nearside ball joint requires replacing on my L reg 1.3 Clubman, I have a couple of spares, but am confused by ones for sale on Ebay, shown either left hand, or right hand side, the ones I have seem to be symetrical and should fit both sides, could someone enligten me please.

[Guest]

hello, they are definately side specific.

[BIGDAVE]

hello i thought it was only the early models that used
different ball joints for each side.
and was the same type on both sides on later models

[countrydude]

I don't think they ever changed the basic suspension design.

[Jeff Turbo]

It depends on where go to buy them from.
I have sets that are the same each side and others that are side specific as the rivit holes are slightly off centre.
All claim to be original

[E_T_V]

They changed the design early on in the life (to alter the camber possibly). So very early ones are different to the later (majority) of cars.

[mgdavid]

up to VIN 242414, use GSJ225 on both sides.
After 242414, use GSJ224 on RH and GSJ223 on LH side

[The Express Valeter]

I have a pair of new ones if anyone needs them. I inadvertantly bought 2 sets & used neither lol.

[Guest]

Many thanks for all the replies, now I can see why it is so confusing,
I think I will remove the faulty one and see if the spares I have will fit,
Regards,
Mike.

[mgdavid]

Many thanks for all the replies, now I can see why it is so confusing,
I think I will remove the faulty one and see if the spares I have will fit,
Regards,
Mike.

can you not read your VIN number then?
confusing? what could be simpler?

[Simon]

I think the change point was 1987. D reg.

[Jeff Turbo]

Either way, have fun grinding and drilling them out.
I found it easier to take the whole wishbone off so I could get some ooomph on both sides but you can do it without

[Guest]

Can you fit later ball joints to an early car? Any difference in the layout of the boltholes? And do the later cars drive any differently to the early ones as a result?

[Guest]

can you not read your VIN number then?
confusing? what could be simpler?

I am quite capable of reading my VIN number, however none of the spares I have, tie in with part numbers you have indicated.

[Jeff Turbo]

Can you fit later ball joints to an early car? Any difference in the layout of the boltholes? And do the later cars drive any differently to the early ones as a result?

As long a you do both sides I would think it doesn't matter, but you may want to check the tracking after.