Hey folks i'ts been asked i'm sure and i probably already know the answer (I used to have the lovely Mondy Ghia X, now in the sky)

I need to change my hub arm out, which you would think was the most piddle easy thing in the world to do, but typical ford decided to seemingly pee about mid model, and not be bothered to carry the info themselves.

It's just a bog standard Zetec ford focus 1.6 petrol 08 (according to the plate) the actual styling is all pre-facelift, which supposedly changed in 06 to facelift model (or was that only the ST version?)  i'm stumped, is there any way to know if it's going to have 18mm vs 21mm bottom ball joints without taking it apart as i just wanted to hopefully do EVERYTHING in one go, i've sourced the entire hub assembly off a standard 05 plate, but then ran into this utter crap.

I can provide whatever details you need if i have them.

Thank you folks, why is nothing simple anymore.
Moan complete, please your help is really appreciated

The Mk2 Focus wasn't facelifted until 2008, for both standard models and ST.  Some pre-facelift models were still being registered that year though.  You can work out the build date from the VIN number.

There was a coloured band on the original BJ's which was either blue or yellow I think.  That tells you the size if you can see it.  

Small engine and pre-facelift would suggest 18mm to me, but there really isn't any sure fire way to tell without physically checking.

3 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

The Mk2 Focus wasn't facelifted until 2008, for both standard models and ST.  Some pre-facelift models were still being registered that year though.  You can work out the build date from the VIN number.

There was a coloured band on the original BJ's which was either blue or yellow I think.  That tells you the size if you can see it.  

Small engine and pre-facelift would suggest 18mm to me, but there really isn't any sure fire way to tell without physically checking.

***** hell man, that was fast, thank you, for what it's worth (which isn't much knowing the company lol) my 08 plate registration returns as an 07 vehicle through eurocarprats ? does that literally mean bugger all though?

Have you got any idea my best and least expensive way to clarify this using my VIN, there used to be esti service site, but ooooh no, something free we'll get rid of that!
Moaning again lol.

I appreciate that response though, I may just have to chance it rather than lose the part and hope for the best, and then get the "right one" after the fact, I highly doubt the bands will still be present the old girl is going on 17 years old 😞 

Been there done that crap info all round. Ended up getting both types from the same seller who agreed I could send back the wrong sized ones for a refund. Ask the seller before ordering.

The only way to confirm is to check the actual car.  The VIN checks aren't accurate for this, both sizes come up on Ford parts catalogues.

From experience I've found that small engine and pre-facelift would generally be 18mm.  Large engine and pre-facelift 21mm.  Anything with optional self leveling Xenon's 21mm.  And all facelifts seem to be 21mm.

But I still wouldn't rely on that system 100%.

Also worth saying the rear bushes on these are crap, so I doubt an original from 2005 would still be any good. 

4 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

The only way to confirm is to check the actual car.  The VIN checks aren't accurate for this, both sizes come up on Ford parts catalogues.

From experience I've found that small engine and pre-facelift would generally be 18mm.  Large engine and pre-facelift 21mm.  Anything with optional self leveling Xenon's 21mm.  And all facelifts seem to be 21mm.

But I still wouldn't rely on that system 100%.

Also worth saying the rear bushes on these are crap, so I doubt an original from 2005 would still be any good. 

Ah bugger, i'm guessing the vin numbers *(10)&(11)* being "57" make it full pre facelift, ie really on 07 manufacture, and if i'm a lucky boy, which i certainly am not usually 😞 ,SHOULD mean it will be the 18mm and the same as the 05 i've sourced. Don't worry i'm not trying to be a ***** and get an outright yes it will to come back and cry! I really do appreciate the response!

It's the front passenger side arm and hub/bearing assembly i'm talking about, probably using absolutely the wrong terms, I'm trying to avoid REDOING a bearing change, that resulted in the asshat ABS staying on, as the whole assy second hand is cheaper than buying a bearing, and getting it pressed in and out, and ending of with the same *****,, tried changing out the sensor twice for not the cheapo parts, no change to abs light, and if this doesn't remedy it, then i'll have to ***** with the actually sensor wire, i'm almost certain it's not actually ABS module failure, as i got it read out, and it only reads a signal loss on the side that was "fixed" and the light only came on after that job, allthough my mechanic helper had smashed the old sensor in forgetting to remove it during the press in out... ffs
THE MOT is coming up, i'd rather a minor on "oi fix that bearing" if the new old one isn't the best, rather than an outright FAIL for a bullshit light for something i would rather be able to just turn off and drive normally, as i was taught to do 25+ years ago in cars that didn't even have all this crap on them.
and moaning again...jaysus....

Really appreciate it as i said.

will provide an update and probably some pictures of no use to anyone over the next few days-week.

21 minutes ago, eddie eastwood said:

Been there done that crap info all round. Ended up getting both types from the same seller who agreed I could send back the wrong sized ones for a refund. Ask the seller before ordering.

Absolute load of tosh ain't it.

Cheers mate

Ah I see, you're after the hub or 'steering knuckle' with the wheel bearing in.

Most of us are thinking of the wishbone when you say 'arm'.

Obviously the BJ size applies to both the same though.  Good luck!

2 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Ah I see, you're after the hub or 'steering knuckle' with the wheel bearing in.

Most of us are thinking of the wishbone when you say 'arm'.

Obviously the BJ size applies to both the same though.  Good luck!

Cheers mate, yes i'm from the old skool side of referring to a hammer as a "knocker in" etc, so 🙂 

20 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Ah I see, you're after the hub or 'steering knuckle' with the wheel bearing in.

Most of us are thinking of the wishbone when you say 'arm'.

Obviously the BJ size applies to both the same though.  Good luck!

May i ask one more thing? As maybe i've read up on it wrong, would the *10th* number on the VIN being a number "5" , mean the vehicle was actually manufactured in "2005" and then not actually issued out to the public until the relevant plate number/registration period of 2008?

Or am i totally getting this all wrong?

Or as the edit to this would me counting back 6 digits from the end of the vin, and reading the *11th* digit, giving me a number "7" mean it was a 2007 manufacture, which still fingers crossed makes it pre 2008.

Jaysus they do try and make things complicated don't they?!

39 minutes ago, MoT_Paul said:

May i ask one more thing? As maybe i've read up on it wrong, would the *10th* number on the VIN being a number "5" , mean the vehicle was actually manufactured in "2005" and then not actually issued out to the public until the relevant plate number/registration period of 2008?

Or am i totally getting this all wrong?

Or as the edit to this would me counting back 6 digits from the end of the vin, and reading the *11th* digit, giving me a number "7" mean it was a 2007 manufacture, which still fingers crossed makes it pre 2008.

Jaysus they do try and make things complicated don't they?!

Edit - Just realised my chart only starts at 2009.  Will see if I can find an older one.

Here we go.  I think you're one digit out.  It should be 7 plus a letter afterwards.  (Click to enlarge)

48 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Here we go.  I think you're one digit out.  It should be 7 plus a letter afterwards.  (Click to enlarge)

That looks very much like it would be 2007 and february with a following K, thank you again so much!

Fingers crossed!

Thanks folks, got it swapped over, whole knuckle and bearing for £22 vs £70 for the bearing alone, what is this *****?

Old girl has her MOT for a year!