Pivot bearing

[igman]

Hi all
Took the car into Smart who said there is exessive play on the osf bottom ball joint, wanting £266.00 to put a new pivot bearing on. Is the pivot bearing and ball joint the same thing? , they quote the bearing as being £102.00. I can get a new ball joint for £29.00, will this do the trick?. Any advice would be welcomed.:thanx:

[Evilution]

Re: Pivot bearing

If there is play in the ball joint then change the ball joint. It's not a pivot bearing by any stretch of the imagination but smart do employ some numpties in the garages.

[lil.smartie]

Re: Pivot bearing

I think in this case it's a language thing. Parts are named in German, translated to French then to US English...

Kate

[igman]

Re: Pivot bearing

Thanks for the replies , they also want £90 to sort some slight play in both front wheel bearings, is this just a case of tightening a castleated nut like I used to do on my old cars? Is there a decent workshop manual to be had?. Thanks again in anticipation . Great forum you've got here!

[Evilution]

Re: Pivot bearing

No, tightening the stretch bolt won't do anything, you'll need new bearings and unfortunately they are about £90 each.

No manuals that's why I created www.evilution.co.uk and a few of the mods on here created www.fq101.co.uk
For everything not on those sites you just have to ask here.

[oldgit]

Re: Pivot bearing

i had a drivers side bottom balljoint worn .

our local independent smart mechanic done it .

as there is a top & bottom balljoint , it was just as easy
for him to replace the 2 while it was stripped down .

cost of the 2 balljoints & labour was less then half the price what
you was quoted .

never go to main dealers , they rip you off

tony [ oldgit ]

[madDan]

Re: Pivot bearing

I thought smart just took the easy approach and replaced the whole wishbone as an item including balljoint and the wishbone bushes to boot?

[tolsen]

Re: Pivot bearing

Lower ball joint and steering knuckle are identical parts. It makes good sense on a high mileage Smart to renew wishbone complete with drop link and ball joint.
Drop link is nearly impossible to remove from wishbone unless you use a special counterholding tool and special deep reach cranked ring spanner available at Lidl special offers, around GBP 3.99 for a set.

Mark 1 version of special counterholding tool seen in centre of photo. Lidl's special deep reach cranked ring spanner just below.


Mark 2 special counterholding tool made from an M10 Hex studding connector and M10 bolt.

You can modify your front bearings for oil lubrication. Oil can be topped up in a minute or two. Oil lubed bearings last longer than grease lubed bearings.

Always hang on to used front bearings. You can make a good front bearing out of two worn out bearings.

[igman]

Re: Pivot bearing

The wheel bearings were an advisory but they marked the ball joint as reqiuring urgent attention (amazing that as it passed its test in March), so I'll concentrate on that, With an hours labour coming in at £90 i'll have a go myself, I understand the cheapest place to get one from is smart, is that right?

[tolsen]

Re: Pivot bearing

There are lots of cheap ball joints of unknown quality for sale on eBay. No point replacing your Smart piece by piece. I would go for genuine Smart parts. Only a few pounds dearer and better quality.

[weasle1uk]

Re: Pivot bearing

The wheel bearings were an advisory but they marked the ball joint as reqiuring urgent attention (amazing that as it passed its test in March), so I'll concentrate on that, With an hours labour coming in at £90 i'll have a go myself, I understand the cheapest place to get one from is smart, is that right?

I have just been pricing it all up for the roadie
Wheel bearing is £66 from merc, local motor factors near me came in a little cheaper at £63

Bottom ball joints were £58 a pair from merc and local motor factors at £18 each

[Yorkshire Devil]

Re: Pivot bearing

Does the local motor factor supply new bolts with the ball joints?

[nikb]

Re: Pivot bearing

sorry to hijack, but top marks for the oil filled bearings, try a bearing company, you need to give them the identification numbers on the bearings, ive had bearings from local companys well below 50% of motor factors prices, after all its only a bearing