Defective ball joints can be a common issue on Renault vans. To provide a convenient and reliable solution to this problem Wulf Gaertner Autoparts AG has developed a reinforced component for its MEYLE-HD range. The company’s engineers have reinforced the ball joint's individual components along with the corresponding tie rod end and control arm assemblies and made all of these available in MEYLE-HD quality.

Renault Master and Trafic models often show signs of premature ball joint failure due to heavy axle loads. The replacement MEYLE-HD ball joints are engineered to provide improved load-carrying capabilities. MEYLE-HD ball joints feature an extremely wear-resistant plastic socket, while specially formulated high-performance grease ensures full compatibility with the materials making up the joint. Under all operating conditions, the grease provides a constant lubricant film between the ball pin and plastic socket thereby ensuring smooth movement in the ball joint. The company says that owing to the technical improvements over the OE design, the MEYLE-HD ball joint for Renault vans, comes with an extended four-year guarantee, as do all items of the MEYLE-HD range.

MEYLE advice is that the ball joint (MEYLE no.: 616 010 0005/HD) on a Renault Master II must not be extracted from the control arm more than once. A small groove on the ball joint indicates if the part has already been removed before. If there is a groove, the entire control arm assembly needs to be replaced. Extracting the ball joint a second time may result in a loss of press-out force, consequently leading to the ball joint not fitting tightly enough in the control arm. Following the replacement of either the ball joint or the entire control arm assembly, an axle alignment must be performed.

The part numbers for the MEYLE-HD ball joints (MEYLE ref.:16-16 010 0005/HD) and the corresponding MEYLE-HD quality tie rod end and control arm assemblies for the Renault Trafic III are:

• MEYLE-HD tie rod ends (MEYLE no.: 16-16 020 0008/HD and 16-16 020 0009/HD)
• MEYLE-HD control arms (MEYLE no.: 16-16 050 0017/HD and 16-16 050 0018/HD)

MEYLE-HD parts are available from local motor factors and distributed in Ireland by Strongline Autoparts call (01)-462-4631 for further details.