How to Use a Joint Play Tester

With the new MEYLE joint play tester, Wulf Gaertner Autoparts supplies a tool allowing workshops to check control-arm mounts, ball joints, tie rod end assemblies and suspension strut bearings for wear. Moving the lever arm delicately enables repair professionals to identify early-stage wear of the suspension components on the front and rear axles. In addition, no lifting platform is required for this procedure, adding transparency to the diagnosing process while demonstrating the need for repair to the customer. The following video shows repairers the best way to use this tool.

 

Transcript:

Speaker 1: Hi. Welcome to the Meyle Mechanics. I’m Torsten.
Speaker 2: I’m Jan.
Speaker 1: We will be kicking off the Meyle Mechanics with our Meyle Joint Play Tester. I’m showing you how to handle it professionally.
Speaker 2: All right. So let’s go.
Speaker 1: Okay. Inspecting steering and suspension parts is a routine job at any workshop, and it’s made a lot easier with the Meyle Joint Play Tester. If you use a lifting platform with a wheel alignment facility, like this one, make sure you don’t position the wheels on the turntables as this could affect the test result.
Speaker 2: The great thing about the Joint Play Tester, you don’t need a lifting platform. You can use it on any stationary vehicle in a compressed state.
Speaker 1: It also comes in very handy for vehicles which have to be looked at immediately. Apply to the wheel, push it into place, and get a result fast. Even customers could do it themselves.
Speaker 2: Exactly, and diagnosing steering and suspension parts on the spot with a professional tool makes a really good impression on the customer.
Speaker 1: Instead of producing the usual tire iron, using the Joint Play Tester is also a great way of checking the suspension under, almost, real life conditions, which, of course, is an excellent opportunity for you to spot early signs of wear. All you need to do is adjust the Joint Play Tester to the required wheel diameter. First make a rough setting by simply inserting the bolt in the corresponding hole. Now that the size is roughly determined use the hand wheel to get a good grip of the tire. As you can see, the lever stroke is extremely long, which makes it easy to operate.
Speaker 2: Another benefit of this Joint Play Tester compared to other designs, is that it has no other bearings, and that the force applied on the lever is transmitted directly to the wheel.
Speaker 1: To mount the Joint Play Tester on the wheel, I’ll demonstrate it with this tire here. Simply place it on top of the wheel, like this. Push it down into place. There you go. Now all I need to do is rotate the spindle to secure the Joint Play Tester to the wheel.
Speaker 2: It has never been so easy to check control on mounts, tie rod ends, ball joints, or measure wheel bearing play quickly.
Speaker 1: When the Joint Play Tester is secured like we’ve done here, you can easily check suspension strut bearings, ball joints, and the lower bushings.
Speaker 2: Now, if Torsten wanted to check control on mounts and tie rod ends, all we would have to do is position the tester horizontally.
Speaker 1: It is very easy to feel whether or not a bushing is worn, but obviously, difficult to see. So, now, we’ll demonstrate an alternative method, which unfortunately requires two people to make it work.
Speaker 2: We’ll take the unusual step of lifting the platform to take a look at the control arm bushings from underneath the car. Torsten, would you please proceed?
Speaker 1: It’s my pleasure.
Speaker 2: So, this is our control arm bushing. When Torsten is moving the Joint Play Tester horizontally you can clearly see the bars moving too. Once you’re under the car, you can also look out for control arm bars which are already cracked, or bushings which are coming loose. There are actually some minor fissures, but they’re not a problem at this stage. If they were allowed to spread, however, a wobbling in the steering wheel and unresponsive steering would be the warning signs. Ultimately, what could also happen is that driving safety would no longer be guaranteed when braking.
Speaker 1: Another benefit of the Joint Play Tester comes into play when it’s time for a seasonal tire change over.
Speaker 2: Instead of messing around with unsuitable implements, for example a woodblock and hammer, you simply pull the wheel off by the long lever and put it on the ground, gently, without any risk of damaging the rim.
Speaker 1: And, you have to admit it looks a lot more professional doing the job with a tool like this rather than with a woodblock and hammer.
Speaker 2: Check out our website to find the Joint Play Tester, www.meyle.com.
Speaker 1: And this is all from us now. See you again soon.
Speaker 2: Bye.