All Things Mk5 > Performance Modifications

Aluminium wishbones with GTI ball joints ok to use?

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Shoduchi:
I've sourced a pair of aluminium wishbones. Thinking of why the S3 has a different part number for the ball joints and if should I source the S3/Passat ball joints or use my stock parts. :thinking:

Anyone know the reason for a different part being used with that wishbone? The only difference I can see is the grooved area around the bolts. I has a bit more height in the Golf ball joint compared with the S3/Passat ball joint.

Golf ball joint:


S3/Passat ball joint:


I could only find topics talking about the TT/TT-S wishbones and adjustable ball joints. :confused:

Shoduchi:
I think I found the major difference between them. I should have looked a bit longer and better... :ashamed:

The nut of the Golf ball joint is half the height of the S3/Passat ball joint nut. The increased height gives more clearance under the CV joint.

Golf ball joint:


S3/Passat ball joint:


I know the Golf ball joints fit, not sure if knowing that it's not the perfect combination of parts will prevent me from getting the S3/Passat ball joints when fitting the alloy wishbones... :laugh:

What do you think? :thinking:

pudding:
@OEM+ DUB on here uses Golf ball joints on Passat alloy wishbones without an issue  :happy2:   As he told me, you just need to make sure you use the Passat/S3 shouldered nuts. 

The difference between S3/Passat and the Golf BJ looks to be roll centre correction?   The tapered pin is longer on the S3 ball joint, because I assume it's ride height is lower than the GTI's?  This will correct bump steer.

You could, and probably should, use the S3 ball joints on a lowered Golf?

I've got the Passat wishbones and bearing housings also, and brand new Golf ball joints from VW ready to go.  But I'm thinking the same as you now, should I switch to S3 BJs?

Shoduchi:
What you said makes me want to fit S3 ball joints. I know the difference won't be huge but everything I can do to make my setup better, I'll do it. Unfortunately I can't fit alloy hubs and SuperPro ball joints with my calipers, so I'm a bit limited in that aspect. The good side of of my brakes is they fit behind my wheels without spacers or needing wider front wings to fit lower ET wheels. It's always a compromise due to costs and legal aspect of car modding (wheels spacers are illegal here).

pudding:
That's a pain! What do S3 people do for big brakes?

If you get some S3/Passat ball joints, could be so kind as to pass on the part number so I can get some too? :-)

I was going to get some VWR ball joints to balance the lowering of my VWR kit, but I didn't know OE S3 ones were roll centre correcting too.  They're probably half the price as well!!

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