Most of the brands are like this Ian, not just DMGRS. If you've managed to find a type with proper sized flats then please tell us all! :}

Simon

I have a selection of these in my garage to replace boots if I need to
At the moment your ball joints are not failing for wear

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=ball+jo..._ts-doa-p_1_16

I dont recall these being a problem but it was 3 or 4 years ago

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161920119047
The MOT is due in a month or two, lets see if they are still good

macafee2

Meyle HD with 4 year warranty.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/161920119...yABEgKKDfD_BwE

Thanks Ian but it can be seen from the photographs that the flats are about half the depth of the nut; too shallow to take a spanner comfortably.

I considered Meyle earlier this year but they're no different from the rest, unfortunately.

Simon

It only takes a couple of minutes to remove the top nut with a grinder and cutting disc. ;) :}

Mike, how do you get to the top nut to remove it with a disc or grinder? Remove the while unit first?

macafee2

I wonder if it's worthwhile to take the whole strut off, including the hub, and then deal with drop links, pinch bolts, suspension legs etc. :shrug:

I'm thinking that this could be a preventative maintenance measure so that when, say, the drop links fails in the future, the chances of getting the thing off without a full strip down are much improved.

Not just for fun, only when something needs doing and then future proofing the whole lot. And not replacing everything, just ensuring that when the time comes it's actually relatively painless to do 'cus stuff comes undone etc.

Thoughts?

Generally all those can be done it situ and to a point is better done in situ as the strut is held firm.

Perhaps loosening them all of each year should be on the maintenance schedule for the keep.

macafee2

Hi Ian, I turned the steering hard over and did it in situ. Had a well worn down cutting disc that cut through most of the nut and then twisted what was left off.