MOT Failure - Ball Joints

[Gooner]

Evening all

My cars just been in for its MOT and it’s failed due to both ball joints being worn.

The car has done only 10k miles, never been tracked and isn’t driven hard as I’m too concerned that my driving skill doesn’t match the ability of the car

The technician that did the MOT was so surprised about the amount of play in them given the condition and mileage of the car, that he call Lotus to check if this was a known issue / there had been a recall…..

What makes this even more concerning is that the car had its 3rd service at the end of January and this wasn’t picked up as an issue and it’s done less than 300 miles since then. Is this not something that should have been picked up at the time?

Has anyone had a similar issue with ball joints wearing out well before their standard useable life?

Thanks

UPDATE:

Car has been with Bell & Colvill this morning there was a fair bit of interest as it's the first time they have seen this issue on an Emira.

It was explained to me that the reason it wasn't picked up during the 3rd service was because it was put on a 4 post ramp. Whilst the weight of the car is on the joints, you can't see any movement. However upon placing it on their 2 post ramp, the issue is clear to see. Graham, the Aftersales Manager indicated that, in light of this issue, they would now be looking to get all Emira's up on the 2 post ramp during services to check for this problem. There was also tech from Lotus HQ there who said he had see this issue one another Emira previously.

They agreed that the issue would most definitely have been present at the last service and within the warranty period (which ran out 23 days ago!) and would take the issue up with Lotus on my behalf to see if it can be repaired under warranty of via a good will gesture. Fingers crossed it can be sorted at no cost.

So far, I'm impressed with how B&C are handling the situation and a shoutout to Graham for how he's approaching.

UPDATE 2:

Just heard back from Graham and he’s confirmed that Lotus have accepted the claim, so it will be repaired under warranty. Clearly a great outcome because it’s not going to be cheap! Just waiting on the parts to come in which will hopefully be sometime this week. Top service from B&C

 

[Gooner]

Is your car on sports or touring suspension, and also Gooners? Mines on 10k miles and 3rd service is in 6 months but I’ll take the wheels off next week to give them some tlc and take a look at the ball joints and gaiters. I will not be happy if this is a 3 year occurrence.Like many manufacturers the bottom ball joints are not a service item that you can just press out and renew. Lotus need to source some better quality joints that last atleast 40k miles otherwise it will be an expensive exercise to continually replace the wishbones.
It is good to see that Lotus are covering the replacements, so hopefully @Gooner can apply some leverage for his car.
I wonder whether the wishbones have already been upgraded with better ball joints if this is a known failure point. Be worth asking the dealer if there have been any TSBs issued and any upgraded parts now available to stop future failures.

I’m on sports suspension.

The MOT tech called Silverstone and asked about TSBs, but were told there haven’t been any for ball joints.

 

[RevMonkey]

Ugh, we are going to start seeing a lot of this sort of thing now some of us are into 3 years plus of ownership. I will put aside more money still to keep this great car on the road.

 

[Mistral]

This is useful, thanks.

The pain is that I’m now out of warranty and have been for about 3 weeks. Whilst this issue would have been present whilst in warranty and should have been picked up during the service, I’m likely to have a fight to get it sorted.

Do you know if it needs a complete wishbone, or can the lower element be sourced?

The dealer says new wishbones and as it's being done under warranty I'll go with it. However, if I was having to pay I'd find out which ball joints are used and just have them replaced provided that there's suitable press available. Probably similar to BMW type as regards quality. I do think that the gaiters perishing played a major part in the joints wearing.

 

[SimonT]

Let me guess, cheap Chinese rubber gaiters from Geely stock.

 

[Nova]

Me wonders why this issue is not more common.

 

[Nelumbo nucifera]

Evening all

My cars just been in for its MOT and it’s failed due to both ball joints being worn.

The car has done only 10k miles, never been tracked and isn’t driven hard as I’m too concerned that my driving skill doesn’t match the ability of the car

The technician that did the MOT was so surprised about the amount of play in them given the condition and mileage of the car, that he call Lotus to check if this was a known issue / there had been a recall…..

What makes this even more concerning is that the car had its 3rd service at the end of January and this wasn’t picked up as an issue and it’s done less than 300 miles since then. Is this not something that should have been picked up at the time?

Has anyone had a similar issue with ball joints wearing out well before their standard useable life?

Thanks

Wow, what issue is going to be next? Ball joints needing replacement after just 10k miles! Ridiculous. For many, myself included, 10k miles will take us outside the miserable three year warranty.
Is anyone aware of just what mileage/kilometres of travel takes place before replacement wear becomes apparent?
What would be required to turn such poor performing (safety reliant parts) into a recall item? Come on Lotus. There was a time when British Engineering had an ‘air of permanence’ about it!

 

[jp129]

While the OP's failure is a cause for concern, this doesn't seem to be documented as a widespread problem.

I agree that it should now be part of your inspection routine, but before we panic, it could very well be a singular or rare event.

 

[Nelumbo nucifera]

While the OP's failure is a cause for concern, this doesn't seem to be documented as a widespread problem.

I agree that it should now be part of your inspection routine, but before we panic, it could very well be a singular or rare event.

Thank you for the encouragement. We live in hope, that’s for real!

 

[Gooner]

Update in original post.

 

[brise]

Wonder if it's the same as the Ferrari problem with their chromed plated steel ball joints. They wear out quick, even quicker when left in storage.
They just rust away in no time, then have to be replaced with aftermarket stainless steel ones. Hopefully you can get the same type for the Emira's in the future

 

[Thirdgen89gta]

Evening all

My cars just been in for its MOT and it’s failed due to both ball joints being worn.

The car has done only 10k miles, never been tracked and isn’t driven hard as I’m too concerned that my driving skill doesn’t match the ability of the car

The technician that did the MOT was so surprised about the amount of play in them given the condition and mileage of the car, that he call Lotus to check if this was a known issue / there had been a recall…..

What makes this even more concerning is that the car had its 3rd service at the end of January and this wasn’t picked up as an issue and it’s done less than 300 miles since then. Is this not something that should have been picked up at the time?

Has anyone had a similar issue with ball joints wearing out well before their standard useable life?

Thanks

UPDATE:

Car has been with Bell & Colvill this morning there was a fair bit of interest as it's the first time they have seen this issue on an Emira.

It was explained to me that the reason it wasn't picked up during the 3rd service was because it was put on a 4 post ramp. Whilst the weight of the car is on the joints, you can't see any movement. However upon placing it on their 2 post ramp, the issue is clear to see. Graham, the Aftersales Manager indicated that, in light of this issue, they would now be looking to get all Emira's up on the 2 post ramp during services to check for this problem. There was also tech from Lotus HQ there who said he had see this issue one another Emira previously.

They agreed that the issue would most definitely have been present at the last service and within the warranty period (which ran out 23 days ago!) and would take the issue up with Lotus on my behalf to see if it can be repaired under warranty of via a good will gesture. Fingers crossed it can be sorted at no cost.

So far, I'm impressed with how B&C are handling the situation and a shoutout to Graham for how he's approaching.

That should’ve made for a very “interesting “ride. It should have felt all sorts of sloppy.

 

[Gooner]

That should’ve made for a very “interesting “ride. It should have felt all sorts of sloppy.

No indications there is an issue at all when driving

 

[Johnson]

Thanks go to the OP for updating the original post as information comes in. Very good to know.

This is also the first time I’ve heard about MoT inspections in the UK… wow. Australia has one of the oldest car ownerships in the world, so our motor registries would be run off their feet!

 

[Whitey]

That should’ve made for a very “interesting “ride. It should have felt all sorts of sloppy.

As I stated in my earlier post, I had the nsf ball joint fail on my Evora about 4 years ago. When driving it, you will hear some occasional knocking noise over bumpy uneven surfaces but at normal road speeds at least, the car still handles fine. It will not throw you off the road with a knocking ball joint, but it will fail a mot in the UK. And, as mentioned, it is not a cheap fix.

 

[Beachbum]

Hopefully Lotus/someone comes up with a cheaper fix.

 

[HampshireEmira]

B&C and especially Graham have been nothing but diamonds for me. I can't sing their praises enough as a dealership. They seem to hold a bit of sway with HQ too. Hopefully they can sort this out for you under warranty.

 

[Nelumbo nucifera]

The dealer says new wishbones and as it's being done under warranty I'll go with it. However, if I was having to pay I'd find out which ball joints are used and just have them replaced provided that there's suitable press available. Probably similar to BMW type as regards quality. I do think that the gaiters perishing played a major part in the joints wearing.

Are you or anyone else facing replacement wishbones able to retrieve the original items! Before being placed into the rubbish. It could be useful to anyone on the Forum has the technical know how to source and replace the ball joints with superior items and document the results.

 

[Mistral]

Are you or anyone else facing replacement wishbones able to retrieve the original items! Before being placed into the rubbish. It could be useful to anyone on the Forum has the technical know how to source and replace the ball joints with superior items and document the results.

I'll certainly try to retain the replaced wishbones and ascertain how to fit new high quality ball joints and gaiters.

 

[Gooner]

2nd update in original post.

 

[Russc]

Wow, another thing to watch out for. Mines just hit 2 years so will be making sure i get a service and MOT together before the warranty runs out.

Thanks for keeping us up to date