Question about ball joints

[landrover598]

Anybody how many degrees of movement a standard rear a-frame ball joint has ?

[LR90]

14 degrees AFAIK which you can soon reach with long shocks

[landrover598]

Is that either way from rest or total movement

[LR90]

Must admit I assumed it was total which thinking about it would give about 10" of axle articulation (at the spring mount points), ie one side at top of its 10" travel and the other at the bottom of its 10" travel. (You would get more at the wheels) which seems sort of right. Even long tavel shocks when fitted are rarely positioned to get maximum travel from them, I know mine would compress more if the tyres didn't bottom out on the tub.

[landrover598]

righteo

Mine currently looks like this

As you can this is not full articulation, there is a few inches more of compression, need some softer springs.

My shocks are set with about 1/2" of compression left when the axle is against the lowered bump stop ( tyre shouldn't tuch the tub now)

So it could be the joint thats limiting articulation

Looks like i'll have to think of a plan B

[dirtydiesel]

So it could be the joint thats limiting articulation

It doesn't look like the ball joint is at full travel, but there is a after market adjustable one tht has more movement.

But to be fair i've only had problems with the ball joint restricting droop not roll, and even that is easily fixed.

[simonr]

The best of the after market ball joints (standard ones that is) gives about 21 degrees rotation in either direction. you get another couple of degrees just from the flex in the A frame bushes.

In order to utilise this amount of travel, you will be running +4 or +5 shocks!

For most people, this is plenty and the radius arms run out of flex before the ball joint.

Si

[landrover598]

Thanks for the info, i knew someone around here would know

For most people, this is plenty

If some is good, more is better B)

[Paul Humphreys]

In order to utilise this amount of travel, you will be running +4 or +5 shocks!

I have +5 inch shocks fitted (http://forums.lr4x4.com/index.php?showtopic=5506) and have not looked at the ball joint. But I will now. I have about another 2 inches of travel left.

Paul

[landrover598]

Paul, how have you managed to mount the top of the damper so low ? do the dampers bottom out on the compression side ??

[dirtydiesel]

Here's what i do to the ball joint bracket to stop it limiting travel,

At ride height (+3") the ball joint is now in the center of it's movement.

[Paul Humphreys]

Paul, how have you managed to mount the top of the damper so low ? do the dampers bottom out on the compression side ??

I have Pin topped shocke on the rear same as the front. The mounts were made by Gwyn Lewis. He told me it took him a long time to get them right. But they move the mount up and forward.

Paul

[Paul Humphreys]

These are the mounts http://www.gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/page24.html

Paul

[Paul Wightman]

Here's what i do to the ball joint bracket to stop it limiting travel,

At ride height (+3") the ball joint is now in the center of it's movement.

Not wanting to be picky but you could benefit from a bump stop.

Still not wanting to be picky but you may want to look at your diff nose height, the springs have a pronounced bow to the rear.

I apologise if these items are in the process of rectification.

[dirtydiesel]

Not wanting to be picky but you could benefit from a bump stop.

Still not wanting to be picky but you may want to look at your diff nose height, the springs have a pronounced bow to the rear.

I apologise if these items are in the process of rectification.

No apologies necessary see here

I've set the diff nose that high to keep the the prop happy (read alive), the spring seats have yet to be altered.

[Hybrid_From_Hell]

Paul,

FFS

Just look at the skill here, ...........

he's welded that beautifully dead accurate welding I say - the brake pipe is completely unaffected

Nige