Balljoint Replacement - Help!

[sproggy]

I've taken the forks out of my 1100S to re-finish the fork bottoms and fork bridge - they're a mess. Trouble is, there's wear in the fork bridge/wishbone balljoint (after 11k miles ). I don't have a big enough vice, the special BMW tool, or a torque wrench that'll go up to 270Nm so I took it to SBW in Hertford to change the joint.........and they don't have the tools either! They did very kindly offer to order me a complete new fork bridge (including balljoint) for £210, though.......

Can anyone recommend a place or person who can remove the old balljoint from the bridge and fit a new one? Perferably N London or Hertfordshire but I guess I can send it anywhere.

Thanks.

 

[pikeydave]

I've got a very good ball joint spare if you want to save some cash and removal isn't too bad from the wishbone just beg, borrow, steal a 46mm openended spanner (and apply a little heat)

 

[sproggy]

Thanks for the offer but I want a new balljoint whatever happens. Removing the balljoint isn't the biggest problem - as you say I can get a big socket and stick a big breaker bar on it assuming I can grip the bridge tight enough (it's off the bike). It's tightening it back up to 270NM that concerns me, although I guess in the absence of a big torque wrench just "bl**dy tight with lots of Loctite" would probably do....

 

[Tarka]

although I guess in the absence of a big torque wrench just "bl**dy tight with lots of Loctite" would probably do....

No it won`t...that`s why it`s got such a high torque setting.

Do the job properly....or not at all.

 

[sproggy]

Do the job properly....or not at all.

Which is why I took it to the dealer in the first place, then when that didn't work asked for advice as to where I could get it done.

It would be cheaper for me to go any buy a new, heavy duty torque wrench than to buy a complete new fork bridge from the dealer but my guess is that somebody out there already has the necessary tools.

 

[banzai]

just attatch it an go see a local car garage , get them to torque it up.