abonano,

Thank you for your reply. There is no cotter pin hole on either side. I have paid good money for parts and labor to replace both and I feel the play starting up again although the nuts have not back-ed off fully yet.

I am thinking now of selling the car, disclosing the problem to any potential buyer.

Since I like the style of the S-TYPE, does anyone know if the later years came with a permanent design fix on this? Or did they keep repeating the same mistake until the 2008? What a shame to have this achilles heel in a beautiful looking car.

 

Usually threaded suspension parts which lack a cotter-pin hole are supplied with "nyloc" type nuts to prevent vibration from working them loose over time. Yours were not?

 

The X202 uses a different 'vertical-link' with the ball joint nut on TOP of the lower control arm (pointing UP).

 

I have this model and know about the ball joint nut coming lose. I check all 4 wheels regularly and I did use red locktight on mine. Alignment should be done and the tolerances cannot be out more than perfect. Accept no excuses about it. The company who does the alignment is not your problem. The guy doing it is your best friend or your worst wrench turner. Always look at the computer print out and if it is not right, do it again. If you put a bearing hub on, you should have done both sides (cheap insurance for later).

 

Thread locking loctite 243 is all you need to fix this problem.

 

If you are taking the loctite route, please make sure the threads (both internal and external) are perfectly clean and oil/grease free.

 

Dear Motorcarman,
Thank you for your expert guidance.
The X202 refers to must be a supercharged model?
I wish I had that improved assembly.
Thanks for the recall paperwork, I had no idea.
I will try to see if the dealer wants to change the ball joints as per recall, or since they are pretty new, just use red loctite on them? I think all they have is a white material washer of some kind, no cotter pins. This whole situation has me on edge, relying on red loctite for your life, cotter pin makes me feel a bit better. Drilling the studs myself could take forever. Selling the car may make me feel the best, don't know yet.

 

David, having to have this perfect and checking so regularly is a big pain isn't it

 

I doubt you could drill through the shank of a ball joint. It's typically going to be hardened material that would just chew up any drill bit.

 

Dear Karl KR98664,

Thank you for saving me from a foolish attempt and waste of time.
What method of assurance do you use on your '02? Do you have cotter pins or red loctite?

Have a good day, D

 

The X202 is the Model Designation for the S-Type that is the 'updated' model released in 2002.5 for MY 2003. (4.2 liter and 3.0 liter engines)
The X200 is the Model produced from 1999 to 2002 (MY 2000-2002)

 

It is not a problem. I check them when I rotate tires. I have a silver paint touch on each joint. If the nut moves, iit will show up on my paint line between nut and thread. I use a mirror to see the line. Easy that way.