This is an OEM balljoint that I found. I am considering using this on my racecar if its certain that there are sealed balljoints like this found as OEM on certain cars...

I hate using exposed sphericals because they get dirty and wear out fast!!!

thanks for any comments...

 

dont know much...but if they are available for my application i'd buy em'...look pretty good....especially sealed

 

Looks like an E46 bushing - do the dimensions match up to anything on a honda?

 

I havent had my hands on one yet to see how close it is...right off the bat I'm guess 12mm bolt goes thru it.

 

There are OE applications of sphericals. One of the rear links in the TL multi-link suspension has one (I have one sitting on my desk as a paperweight).

 

would you mind posting the OD of the shell, bushing ID and bushing length please?

 

What site is that from?

Are there any with zerk fittings?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MidShipCivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What site is that from? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Donkey...... its on the corner of the picture. Worldpac is a huge OEM-type parts supplier.

And, I'm 99% certain that it is:

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Looks like an E46 bushing</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

it is the outer rear upper control arm balljoint from a BMW...

 

Have you thought about trying these or tried them?

http://www.sealsit.com/rodend.asp



Inexpensive and backyard, I have used pipe insulation foam with some success in various locations on my car.







Modified by DB2-R81 at 8:34 PM 2/13/2006

 

The Mitsu Evo's have some of those in the front LCA and rear LCA. They don't look exactly like the one pictured though.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by KekeK_5G &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The Mitsu Evo's have some of those in the front LCA and rear LCA. They don't look exactly like the one pictured though.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Interesting, now can they be purchased separate of their respected control arms?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by .RJ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Donkey...... its on the corner of the picture. Worldpac is a huge OEM-type parts supplier.</TD></TR></TABLE>

They don't sell direct to the public, but there are many websites that have their catalog and sell parts through them (I believe that they drop ship). I used to work for Worldpac back in 1998-99.

 

these parts I found thru drivewire

 

I am pretty happy with these: http://www.orijinmotorsports.com/prodspben.html
They seal quite well, and I'm pretty happy with quality and fitment. Also have their upper control arm, non sphericals.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by HapaHaole &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Interesting, now can they be purchased separate of their respected control arms?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I doubt it. I haven't contacted Mitsu about it, since thankfully none of the joints have failed yet. My guess is that since the arms are all forged aluminum that they are probably only sold as an assembly. I know Honda started doing that awhile back with the 5G civics.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MidShipCivic &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Are there any with zerk fittings?</TD></TR></TABLE>
Zerk fittings are gone like the dodo... More bearing failures have occured from dirt and grit introduced thru the zerks than from anything else. Ever see a zerk on a Honda? There's a reason for that...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by KekeK_5G &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I doubt it. I haven't contacted Mitsu about it, since thankfully none of the joints have failed yet. My guess is that since the arms are all forged aluminum that they are probably only sold as an assembly. I know Honda started doing that awhile back with the 5G civics.</TD></TR></TABLE>

how are the mitsu ones held in?

from what i've been told, pressing a steel bearing sleeve into aluminum is a tricky thing

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thawley &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Zerk fittings are gone like the dodo... More bearing failures have occured from dirt and grit introduced thru the zerks than from anything else. Ever see a zerk on a Honda? There's a reason for that... </TD></TR></TABLE>

everything i own made by honda that was meant to be serviced with grease has zerk fittings- including items that are designed to see a lot more dirt than my car. how does dirt enter a ball/spring loaded zerk fitting? not trying to be argumentative in any way, just tryin to learn something.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by rsca_crx &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
how does dirt enter a ball/spring loaded zerk fitting? </TD></TR></TABLE>

most people are too lazy to clean the zerk well or clean the grease gun so as soon as you stick the gun on the dirty zerk and squeeze, bam! dirt in the ball joint.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by thawley &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Zerk fittings are gone like the dodo... More bearing failures have occured from dirt and grit introduced thru the zerks than from anything else. Ever see a zerk on a Honda? There's a reason for that...</TD></TR></TABLE>


This is unheard of and easily prevented.
http://store.avlube.com/greasfitcap.html

Bearings need service I perfer to use zerk fittings on any bearing I can so I can regrease.

 

Bota, That look almost like the front upper control arm inner pivots bushings (bearings)on your PHHAAAT ! RL. It uses sealed spherical bearings. Too bad they are not available separate from the factory arm.

 

you swear my bucket has sphericals in there? I need to check that out...

 

Yup! I was surprised when I first found out too. The reason why Honda went with the spherical on the RL UCA is because the car is so heavy. A normal bushing had too much deflection causing premature wear and unwanted geometry change (camber gain)

 

Honda/Acura has 2 types sphericals:
Pillow joint = spherical with a dust boot
Pillow bushing = spherical with a dust boot and a thin rubber bushing surrounding it for NVH

By far, most applications are traditional rubber bushings.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Setup &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yup! I was surprised when I first found out too. The reason why Honda went with the spherical on the RL UCA is because the car is so heavy. A normal bushing had too much deflection causing premature wear and unwanted geometry change (camber gain)</TD></TR></TABLE>

I was thinking about replacing my upper control arms because I need to get new upper ball joints...maybe I'll just reuse the stock inner sphericals and score some sealed sphericals for the racecar in the deal!

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jlucas &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Honda/Acura has 2 types sphericals:
Pillow joint = spherical with a dust boot
Pillow bushing = spherical with a dust boot and a thin rubber bushing surrounding it for NVH

By far, most applications are traditional rubber bushings.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Can we get a list going of what Honda applications have OEM sphericals? Specific to joint location of course.