360 track rod ends / ball joints

[TVR_CS]

Dealer says they are worn but not desperate for changing? Would you insist they were changed as part of the deal or negotiate the price down accordingly or accept the fact and change when necessary.
As the dealer is abroad they would fit Ferrari parts and not the superior Hills eng parts. Does anybody know roughly the cost of labour to replace the parts (in the UK) and the cost of the a full set of Hills eng parts?

Thanks.

[voicey]

I would negotiate the money off the deal and fit the superior Hill Engineering items - not only are they cheaper but they are much longer lasting.

To give you an idea of cost, I would budget about an hour an item.

[roygarth]

I had this from a Fez specialist recently after I complained of 'clicking' over bumps

'Most likely cause is either top ball joints or front track rod ends. Front lower ball joints do wear but only tend to knock over big bumps.
Top ball joints take 1.5 hrs per side, track rod ends ¾ hr per side including resetting the tracking.'

I would definitely bring car back and use Hill parts. If you can haggle price down on that basis great....

[TISPKJ]

Couple of years since I did mine but roughly £125 top ball joint and same for bottom, so £250 a corner plus a couple of track rod ends if needed which from memory are a bit dearer.
I wouldn't replace with std items if you intend keeping the car.

[mwstewart]

At this age the 'Flamblocs' (low deflection inner bushes) are also starting to crack, and the shock top mounts can go soft, so make sure they are checked out. ARB bushes and links are very cheap so don't worry too much about those.

[zipperkarting]

I recently had my car CTd ( like Mot) in France and there was a little play in one of the suspension components, I guess a bush of some sort.
Do you all think I should replace all flamblocs or bushes or just concentrate on the area with play?
I have started collecting flam blocs and bushings so that I have them available when needed.
Can you give me some feedback please.
Thanks.

[R36vw]

If your flam blocs and bushes are starting to degrade, it's worth doing the lot, you'll be amazed at how it transforms the car too. A lot of this is age related. Many 348/355's are going through this now. The 360 is just coming into this era too. It's likely a one off job for you as they'll see out another 15/20 years at least....start buying all of them if you plan to do it yourself. Bear in mind they don't always come out easily. Many of mine had to be cut/burnt out as the press couldn't shift them. This ramps up the labour unfortunately if you get a specialist to do it. Ball park figure for an independent to do it is about 4k

As for the op....if there is play you're on borrowed time. . Negotiate, or get ppi done and you'll find your specialist will say the same. If they replace then that's fine. Downside is Hills will last longer, but it's no big deal. The design means even Hills need replacing, but less often. It's just one of those parts you have to accept like brakes need doing every so often...Good luck

Edited by R36vw on Wednesday 23 December 23:32

Edited by R36vw on Wednesday 23 December 23:40

[red griff roger]

These are quite straightforward to do yourself. There is a good step by step guide on Voicy's blog