Hill Engineering Upper/Lower Ball Joints for 360 | FerrariChat

Hill Engineering Upper/Lower Ball Joints for 360

Discussion in '360/430' started by sailingmagnus, Oct 19, 2011.

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  1. sailingmagnus

    sailingmagnus Rookie

    Nov 20, 2010
    31
    Satellite Beach, FL
    Full Name:
    Scott
    Hi,

    I searched for Hill Engineering and lots of postive press about their products but very little details about how to install. Specifically I want to replace the front upper and lower ball joints on my 360 as I hear/see some clicking/play in them when I rock the rotors with the car on a lift. I reached out to HE regarding the install procedure and their tool to assist and they made it sound too hard for one of us to do. "As to the removal and fitting of the joints, they are not a conventional ball joint but are bonded in with a special adhesive and we have to advise taking the arms to a Ferrari shop that has previous knowledge of correct removal and installation of the ball joints (Most independent Ferrari shops will have done this job over the years)"

    I doubt it's rocket science and I have experience with epoxies so I think I can handle it if I can find the steps to install. Anybody out there done this and better yet documented it?

    Scott
     
  2. voicey

    voicey Formula 3

    Jul 29, 2009
    1,193
    London, UK
    Full Name:
    Aldous Voice
    I've not done this job (yet) but if I were here's how I'd approach it...

    Remove wishbone from car.
    Remove rubber boot from each side of the ball joint - they are secured with a built in circlip.
    Machine a short tube on the lathe to just inside the OD of the balljoint so it fits over the ball itself.
    Heat the wishbone to break the bonding agent of the glue.
    Use the machined tube in a press to slide out the ball joint (I believe you can buy a tool instead of making your own).
    Clean up the inside of the wishbone.
    Use the machined tube in a press (or bought tool) to put the new balljoint in after applying new adhesive (Hysol EA9360).
    Refit new rubber boots.
    Refit wishbone.

    The book time in a workshop is less than an hour a side if the car is on a ramp. It may help to have the new joints in the freezer and some shops fill the new boots with grease. Also take care to meaure the exact position of the old joint in the wishbone so it goes back in the same place.

    If you do go ahead with the job please let us know how you get on.
     
  3. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Owner

    #3 Ricambi America, Oct 20, 2011
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2011
    Hill Engineering offers some tools to help with the installation:

    Lower Ball Joint tool: http://www.ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?products_id=343682
    Upper Ball Joint tool: http://www.ricambiamerica.com/product_info.php?products_id=343681

    The proper adhesive is Hysol EA9360 (Ferrari part 184241)
    ** The Hysol is considered a "Dangerous Goods" article by shipping companies, so we do not list it on our site. It requires specialized labeling for transport, and cannot ship via air.

    If you need replacement boots:

    Lower ball joint boots (2x used per ball), part 171848
    Upper ball joint boots (2x used per ball), part 171847
     
  4. FerrariDublin

    FerrariDublin F1 Rookie

    Jun 14, 2009
    3,454
    Dublin, Ireland
    Full Name:
    Greg
    #4 FerrariDublin, Oct 20, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    The procedure is very well described and photographed in the technical updates WSM available from the Ferrari Downloads section. It's a 22Mb download - not too big.

    Attached a snapshot of the first page I've dumped into a word doc. I don't have the means to edit PDFs.....
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  5. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Owner

    #5 Ricambi America, Oct 20, 2011
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  6. FerrariDublin

    FerrariDublin F1 Rookie

    Jun 14, 2009
    3,454
    Dublin, Ireland
    Full Name:
    Greg
    Yes - the F430 book (above) is virtually a replica of what's available in the 360 Tech Updates.
     
  7. F430GT

    F430GT Formula 3

    Sep 29, 2005
    1,300
    Marco Island, FL
    Does Hill engineering make these ball joints for the F430/360?

    If so, can you post a link? Thanks.
     
  8. FerrariDublin

    FerrariDublin F1 Rookie

    Jun 14, 2009
    3,454
    Dublin, Ireland
    Full Name:
    Greg
    Yes, they make both upper and lower and supply the boots and adhesive also.

    Daniel / Ricambi stock / supply them (links above) plus the tools (x2) required for DIY.
     
  9. Ricambi America

    Ricambi America F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Owner

  10. F430GT

    F430GT Formula 3

    Sep 29, 2005
    1,300
    Marco Island, FL
  11. raywong

    raywong Formula Junior

    Aug 29, 2004
    673
    Hong Kong
    Full Name:
    Raymond
    what are the symptoms of worn ball joints? my car has some rattling/clicking, other than that it drives normal, steering is nice and tight.
     

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