Ball joints revisited.

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ruckman101
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Re: Ball joints revisited.

Post by ruckman101 » Wed May 18, 2011 3:55 pm

I see there are ball joint presses on the market for $60. Anyone have any experience with them? Do the generic ones work on a '70 bus and ghia? Do they work on tie-rod ends, too?


neal
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Amskeptic
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Re: Ball joints revisited.

Post by Amskeptic » Thu May 19, 2011 10:09 am

ruckman101 wrote:I see there are ball joint presses on the market for $60. Anyone have any experience with them? Do the generic ones work on a '70 bus and ghia? Do they work on tie-rod ends, too?
neal
VW calls for a ten-ton press. Review against above. Consider that the Germans happily used metallurgy closer to its limits, i.e. they demand that you follow the directions for a good reason.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

Boxcar
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Re: Ball joints revisited.

Post by Boxcar » Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:36 am

Good reading...on this thread.

Been nursing torn boots,via the grease dam and swoddle method for a few years.

Wolfsburg boot kits are not listed at the moment. Those fine Bus Depot folks have a listing. Though the latter's quality,or general durability may or may not be worthy to wrestle into place.(I have the time, though part source lead time assassination may be all I do..?)
If anyone has further boot data let it fly.
My balljoints are not awful.
I only get one subdued,yet whiny squeek when loads are added, some temp correlation. Not a clunk though.
It is maintenance time here..sticky d/s caliper etc, so I'm adding some grease Zerks my Lizt.
Tie rod boots look whooped, probably wil clean,grease and safetywire epdm rubber swoddle those for the time being. Steering being tight.As I am still on a honeymoon with newish BD/Meyle Drag Link, cleaning,wrapping, and zerking those little loadpath MAY be all I do.
1975 003 Auto Westy L90D

repair!!!!aug2015
Jan/16 Bumped mixture a few notches richer. finally developing HP.


1.8L/LJet/Pertron DVDA+PertronixCompufire 42/36Ham Heads/AA 93mm pistons/barrels.Porsc.Swiv.Adjusters/CromoSteel pushrds/ Web 9550Cam/55cc chmbr.,035 squish,8.6:1CR/German Supply VWCanadaReman Rods/Schadek 26mmPump/vdo dualOP8/10#low sender/Quart Deep Sump
Backdate Htr bxs,reflanged 914 4into1. Two and three eighths inch collector,magniflow*muffler

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Amskeptic
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Re: Ball joints revisited.

Post by Amskeptic » Sun Jan 04, 2015 11:50 am

Boxcar wrote: I only get one subdued,yet whiny squeek when loads are added, some temp correlation.
You need to distinguish this sound from shock absorber rubber letting go.

Remove both front shocks. If noise occurs in same circumstance as you stated, then ball joint yes.
Grease immediately.

If sound goes away, that suggests that the noise is coming from the rubber shock bushings rotating in the eyelet or on the spacer that is on the mounting bolt/stud. You can reinstall shocks *correctly, as they should have been the first time!* and the noise may go away.

Correctly : do not tighten shock bolts/nuts until the car is at proper settled ride height.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles

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