MOT Failure - Anti roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint

Adam · 4 Dec 2009 at 14:04

My Mondeo failed this morning on a few minor lighting issues (condensation and alignment) plus the front discs and "front nearside anti roll bar has excessive play in a ball joint". I'm trying to decipher exactly what I require. I have bought an anti roll bar arm, as advised by the parts place but I'm not 100% convinced this is correct. I'm just phoning around for fitting estimates so want to make sure I have the correct parts.

Any thoughts?

LiE · 4 Dec 2009 at 14:10

Didn't know the anti-roll bar was on the MOT list. Interesting.

Conscript · 4 Dec 2009 at 14:14

Sure they dont mean anti-roll bar drop links? They link the roll bar to the suspension strut, usually have a ball joint and bush at each end.

Adam · 4 Dec 2009 at 14:16

Conscript said:
Sure they dont mean anti-roll bar drop links? They link the roll bar to the suspension strut, usually have a ball joint and bush at each end.

This sounds exactly like the part I have

numnutz · 4 Dec 2009 at 14:33

My guess would be a droplink, pretty certain your advised to change them in pairs.

Skiddley · 4 Dec 2009 at 15:11

Isn't it the ARB brushes. Dirt cheap to replace if so.

Adam · 4 Dec 2009 at 15:39

£23 for the part I believe. I'm having the discs and roll bar fitted for £40. I know it's an easy job, I have done the discs and pads before, but it's too cold and I'd rather spend my day off doing something more productive

Dureth · 4 Dec 2009 at 16:13

I'd happily pay £40 for that job to be done. Sometimes even if you can do the job yourself the small price of an indy is worth it, especially at this time of year if your working on the drive / street.

Lopéz · 4 Dec 2009 at 18:05

If it was the ARB bush (not brush, there are no brushes in your suspension

) it would have failed on excessive play in ARB bush.

It says ball joint so that's exactly what it is. Your drop links have had it, replace as a pair, not a pricey job if a garage is doing it and not a long winded job if you are doing it yourself.

Burnsy2023 · 4 Dec 2009 at 19:57

Lopéz said:
It says ball joint so that's exactly what it is. Your drop links have had it, replace as a pair, not a pricey job if a garage is doing it and not a long winded job if you are doing it yourself.

Indeed, Haynes says it's only 2 spanners

(I don't know that, but I do know they're easy to change

)

Dogbreath · 4 Dec 2009 at 21:28

ARB drop links are an extremely common MOT failure on Mondeos, but a piece of cake to fit.

Rich1988 · 5 Dec 2009 at 11:10

Burnsy2023 said:
Indeed, Haynes says it's only 2 spanners

(I don't know that, but I do know they're easy to change )

Ironically thats all you need to do the job as well, 13mm and 15mm (normally)

Dave L · 5 Dec 2009 at 18:44

msm722 said:
Didn't know the anti-roll bar was on the MOT list. Interesting.

Part of the suspension - why do you think not? :confused: