Carina E front lower ball joint

[avetoy]

Hello!

Few weeks ago I renewed Carina E 1,6 (MY1997) lower ball joint. The car did not pass the MOT, so I went to local car parts dealer to buy a new ball joint.

They asked licence plate number so they could give me the right part. They told me that when this Carina is made in Britain, distance between bolts should be 44mm.

I trusted them but when started the job I noticed that correct distance is 55mm. So I went back and got the right kind of ball joint which is (as they said) for Japan made cars

(1993...1995). 

Has anyone any information about this? Is it possible that some Carina has 44mm and another has 55mm?

 

[flash22]

It depends on where you are located, What are the first 3 letters of the vin or does it have a frame number (12 digits) ?

Drop me a PM with a vin/frame number and I will look it up for you

[avetoy]

Thanks for the answer!

This Carina is not mine, I was helping my friend so I don´t know about vin etc. Location is northern Europe.

I just wonder if it is true that different ball joints have been used in models made in England?

The car part dealer was very sure of it even though I dared to doubt ...

 

 

[flash22]

It depends on the VIN if it starts JT or has a frame number its made in Japan

[avetoy]

Can´t check the VIN or anything else right now because the car is not here.

I think  that the riveted plate under hood says Toyota Motor Europe...