Rear S13 Ball Joint

[Chezedik]

If you talk to Nissan, they will want you to buy a whole arm. I bought the Energy Suspension master kit, so they can kiss my @ss. But I think you all should know that a front ball joint from the B13 Sentra will do for the rear of an S13 and maybe S14, but I am in no way responsible for this information. I am just trying to help anyone who may have had or does have a problem similar to that of mine. I am pretty sure this will die and become archived in no time flat, but hey, I tried.

[djsilver]

Hey, the search works!I was looking for this info since I removed the old ones before I discovered none of the parts stores carry them and the OEM's will only sell you a lower control arm assembly with the ball joint already installed. Based on this and two other similar forum posts I went and bought Sentra Front LCA ball joints today. I purchased them from Advance Auto. They're listed as TRW part #104196 but are stamped on the bottom with "Made in Japan" and "Three (555) Five".

I took a micrometer with me and took measurements. The main difference I found is that the diameter of the body on the S13 ball joint is 38mm and the Sentra ball joint is 39mm. Did you have to modify the LCA or did it press in OK?

[HashiriyaS14]

did you have to modify the LCA or did it press in OK?

B U M P

I definitely have this problem/question also, and I'm not going to let this thread die.

If the freakin' Sentra hardware really works I'm going to be OVERJOYED.

I'm doing a complete suspension rehab with freshly sandblasted arms all around and new bushings/ball joints, and I really didn't want to have to actually go buy new arms, just rehab solid used ones.

So did it press in okay?

[40daws]

I bought

Hey, the search works!I was looking for this info since I removed the old ones before I discovered none of the parts stores carry them and the OEM's will only sell you a lower control arm assembly with the ball joint already installed. Based on this and two other similar forum posts I went and bought Sentra Front LCA ball joints today. I purchased them from Advance Auto. They're listed as TRW part #104196 but are stamped on the bottom with "Made in Japan" and "Three (555) Five".

I took a micrometer with me and took measurements. The main difference I found is that the diameter of the body on the S13 ball joint is 38mm and the Sentra ball joint is 39mm. Did you have to modify the LCA or did it press in OK?

I bought Moog lower ball joints for a Sentra.They are tagged "Made in Japan" also. They do press in,you HAVE to watch the angle with which they go in .We FUBAR'D one of the Moogs and had to go to Autozone and get another. By angle I mean you have to press,stop,check angle, ADJUST IT press again,stop etc.Also you will have to carefully remove the dust boot. If you don't you will tear it. I did. If you do tear it,you may luck out and Autozone will have the Energy Suspension Poly Ball joint covers or worse to worse by another ball joint and take it off.

[djsilver]

I measured the hole in the suspension arm at 37.7mm. That makes for a .3mm interference fit with the original but requires 1.3mm of stretch for the Sentra ball joint. That's why 40daws had a little trouble installing them.If you have access to a lathe you could turn the Sentra units down to 38mm but Chezedik and 40daws have been able to make it work so it can be done; just be really careful!

[40daws]

One thing was funny though. This is on a 1989 Nissan 240sx. After removing the old ball joints and checking for excessive play--there was NONE. I didn't need new ball joints,I really just needed new dust boots.