This blog has been put together to advise you on the steps to take to adjust or replace your Mini's Ball Joints.

  • With the front of the Mini jacked up and stabilised with axle stands under the subframe
  • Remove the road wheel
  • Loosen the ball joint nut (do not completely remove)
  • Loosen the ball joint from the suspension arm with the ball joint splitter.
  • Remove the ball joint nut and washer and separate the ball joint from the suspension arm
  • Carefully release the lock tab and undue the ball joint- check the condition of the ball and the socket.
  • If the ball and socket is serviceable remove one or more shims and re assemble the ball joint, the correct preload setting is for the joint to move freely with some light resistance. This procedure may take more than one attempt to get the correct preload.
  • If the ball joint needs replacing, fit a new ball joint and follow the preload settings as above.
  • Once the preload is set, torque up the ball joint and secure the lock-tab.
  • Refit the joint to the suspension arm and apply grease via the grease nipple.
  • Refit the road wheel
  • Drop the car back onto the ground and torque the wheel nuts.

If you need any help or have any questions our dedicated Mini experts are always on hand to answer your enquiries on anything Mini – get in touch!

Speak to us on +44 (0) 1282 778 731 or send an e-mail to sales@minisport.com and we’ll be back in touch as soon as possible.

Alternatively you can also shop our entire Mini Suspension range here or reference our Suspension 'Easy Parts Finder' below.

Helpful Links:-

Easy Parts Finder - Mini Suspension

No.
Description
Notes
Part No.
1
Standard rubber cone - front & rear
 
1
Competition rubber cone - front & rear
 
1
Moulton Smootha Ride front cone
 
1
Moulton Smootha Ride rear cone
 
2
Aluminium front strut, each
 
2
Adjusta Ride front struts, pair
 
Adjusta Ride full car kit
 
3
Knuckle joint - standard, each
 
3
Knuckle joint - Adjusta Ride, each
 
4
Knuckle joint nylon cup, each
 
5
Genuine tie rod (inc bushes),
each
5
Adjustable tie rods - thick, pair
 
5
Group 'A' Adjustable tie rods, pair suitable for road, rally or race
 
5
Group 'A' rose jointed tie rods, pair suitable for tarmac rally or race
 
 
Female Rose Joint 1/2" UNF, each
 
 
Teflon 1/2"UNF female rose joint
 
 
Male Rose Joint 1/2" UNF, each
 
 
Teflon 1/2"UNF male rose joint
 
6
Bolt - tie rod to bottom arm,
each
7
Spring Washer - 5/16" UNF Spring washer,
each
8
Nut - Nyloc 5/16'UNF
each
9
Standard rubber bushes
each
9
Uprated rubber bushes
set 4
9
Poly bush kit (black or red)
set 4
10
Washer - cup type, tie rod end
each
11
Washer - flat, tie rod end
each
12
Nyloc nut - 7/16"UNF tie rod
each
13
Shock Absorbers
each or kits
13a
Rubber eyelet bush (with insert),
each
14
Top standard mount, LH,
each
14
Top standard mount, RH,
each
14
Top competition mount, RH,
each
14
Top competition mount, LH,
each
15
Set Screw - 1/4" UNF x 3/4"
each
16
Spring Washer - 1/4"
each
17
Front Shock Absorber Bottom Mount,
each
17
Lower competition pin
each
18
Nut - Nyloc 3/8"UNF shocker mount
each
19
Bump Stop - rubber twin bolt
each
19
Bump Stop - rubber single bolt
each
19
Bump Stop - rubber hydrolastic type
each
19
Bump Stop - rubber single bolt - early MK1
each
19
Bump Stop - poly single bolt
pair
19
Bump Stop - poly twin bolt
pair
20
Nut - 1/4" UNF
 
20
Nut - nyloc 1/4"UNF
 
21
Spring Washer - 1/4"
 
21
Washer - flat 1/4Ó
 
22
Repair kit, all parts to service 1 x top arm
 
23
Top arm shaft
each
24
Sealing Ring bush - top arm shaft
each
25
Thrust washer - top arm shaft
each
26
Thrust collar - top arm shaft
each
27
Retaining plate - top arm shaft
each
28
Spring washer - top arm shaft
each
29
Nut - top arm shaft
each
30
Rebound buffer, each
 
30
Poly rebound buffer, pair
 
31
Shaft - lower suspension arm
each
32
Bush - rubber (2 per arm)
each
32
Bush kit - polyurethane uprated (black or red)
kit
32
Bush set - nylon competition type
set
33
Nut - nyloc 3/8"UNF
each
35
Top Arm RH - suit dry suspension