Powder coating suspension arms - ball joints???

I've stripped off my suspension arms ready to fit new poly bushes an am considering having them powder coated.

Is it ok to do the arms with ball joints or will the heat from baking on the powder coat damage the ball joints?

I've stripped off my suspension arms ready to fit new poly bushes an am considering having them powder coated.

 

Is it ok to do the arms with ball joints or will the heat from baking on the powder coat damage the ball joints?

I would say it would, but I know others have done it. It's usually only an issue when the ball joints have nylon liners.

Either way, without a grease nipple, grease will never get in there 100%.

Speak to Ibrar

He removed the dirt boots and re greased his ball joints and fitted new boots.

The ball joint itself would cope with heat but the boot and grease would

possibly melt

http://www.mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?241651-My-Super-Widebody-Aero-VVTi-Turbo-6sp-project/page43

I did message Ibrar a few weeks back but only got the arms off yesterday (bolts seized solid), need to get them back on the car Thursday and just don't have the time to get over to his so have dropped them off at a place next to work. No one said anything about the ball joints being an issue other than that the boots won't survive but I've already got spares ones for most of them.

Boots were ruined but I expected that and already had replacements ready to go on.

Really happy with the outcome.

Didn't take a pic of them off the car or the front fitted, but a pic of rears is below.

Mmmmm how much did that cost?

£120 cash for 20 components.

2 x front lower arms

2 x front lower arm brackets that shocks and ARBs attach to

6 x rear lower arms

4 x front and rear bars that bolt across subframe

4 x ARB brackets

2 x ARB's

Certainly cheap enough if they did all the prep as well

I took them off, pressed out the old bushes and then handed them over for blasting and powder coating.

I taught paint technology and surface coatings for 20 years and don't understand the fascination for a cohesive coating in a wet place?

For the same reason as for why rubberoid underseal is frowned upon.

2 coats of hammerite engine paint would look just as good, has more adhesion than cohesion, for less than 10% of the price and won't destroy rubber components.

Oh now you tell me, lol. I was under the impression that Powder Coating is tougher and more durable that paint so figured it would be the best option.

It's a fad, like that plastidipshit.

It sticks to itself better than the surface and when water gets under it, it keeps it there and promotes oxidisation beneath the prettyness.

The components are heavy enough steel not to worry, but the ends will fluff up from rust underneath.

Dam. Good to know for future reference tho.

Unless it chips i'd imagine it could be quite a while before you get any problems, saying that i steered away

from powder coating the suspension and axle cases on my Range Rover purely because of where they are.

Hmm so just hammerite it all black then?

I'd suggest at least getting it shot blasted first.

I rubbed back and painted my lower arms in black hammerite smooth a few years back, still fine and not flaked off one bit. Perfect for the job.