Starter And Ball Joints

August 31, 2005

Well unfortunately the supra failed its MOT test. Happily not on the speedo but on parking brake and front lower ball joints. My mate came up with his big jack and sorted the handbrake out by adjustment on each drum but stripped them down to find the disk pads down to 2mm (£20 for new set) and the parking shoes at 1.5 mm (replacement £70 or relining £30). Checked out front lower ball joints and they were shot.

MOT tester rang round and quoted me £105 + vat per side!!!!

I rang a Jap specialist in the north west and he quoted me £188 for two including vat and postage. I was just about to order them and found out they were from a scrapped car!!! There are no pattern parts or oem available for the car so I called up Toyota in Bootle.

He told me that they were £57 per side? I should get them tomorrow and fit them on sunday. All other supra part sites say they are £100 + each? Did they bloke at Toyota make a mistake? will I have to part with another £100 tomorrow?

Anyhow when doing the front end the car was jacked up in the road as I couldn't positionb it correctly on the drive to get the jack under. Afterwards the ***** refused to start just 'click' 'click'. There it was left on the street without any tax on it overnight. I linked up a 85 amp lesuire Battery to it the next day and it started ok.

Is there any way to cure the crap starting of a mkIII?

I was thinking along the lines of changing the relay for a lower resistance unit to get more current to the starter. Does anyone think that this is a good or crappy idea.

August 31, 2005

I had to replace a ball joint few weeks again. Cost me 107 quid.

Sometimes I wish I had bought a Mini....

August 31, 2005

All toyota parts departments use the same system, same network, same everything..........but the prices vary wildly from one to another for the same parts.

If they really are £57 each then it sounds like a bargain. You'll probably find that oil filters are £176.44 at the same place to redress the balance !

September 1, 2005

£100 each plus vat is the toyota price...

Best bet for future refernce is to order them from the states...

I will soon replace all my ball joints, bushes, and track rod ends as routine mainenance

September 1, 2005

£100 each plus vat is the toyota price...
Best bet for future refernce is to order them from the states...
I will soon replace all my ball joints, bushes, and track rod ends as routine mainenance
←

Well I've just picked them up and a caliper seal kit aswell. They came complete with rubber cups (filled with grease) with castlated nuts and spring clips. He handed them over and said " There you go Sir, thankyou." I was waiting for the phrase 'Oh we made a mistake on the price and you owe us another £117.50' but it never came. The parts look correct and the total bill is here. I will scan the receipt and post it up after I've fitted them. I have even photographed them and I'll take pictures of me smiling during the process.

I noticed that over the net from the states they are $78 per side at current rates that is approximately £43 each. Having said that there will be import duty of £8 and VAT and postage but still cheaper than £107 each.

Hoorah!

Mik.

ps It is about time I had some luck. I've broken my neck and my left arm is paralised and my mum died two weeks ago. So this is a bit of a silver lining.