TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Dec 31, 2002 7:53 pm

I bought rebuilt trailing arms for my 71 frontend from Wolfgang and the rubber boots totally disintegrated in about a month. I called Wolfgang and threw a fit and they sent replacements. These fell apart with in a month also. I called them again and they were very apologetic, but said that the only ones they had were the ones they sent me. I checked with VW and of course the part is NLA. Wolfgang was very cool about the problem and I'm sure they would make good if they could. My question is- Has any one else had this problem and if so, where are good boots available. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Tue Dec 31, 2002 9:49 pm

I believe that CIP1.com lists them in their catalogue. I have purchased numerous suspension and brake parts for a 69 bus from them and they can often get German parts, which will cost more, but will last. Neil.

Wed Jan 01, 2003 12:51 pm

It is unconscienable, the trash that is sold nowadays. I have the original boots on my original '73 Bus ball joints at 434,000 miles. They are beginning to clonk a bit. I thought how nice it would be to get those rebuilt trailing arms, and then I read this.
Is there no escape from corporate indifference? How much money are they "saving" by making the rubber one mil thick as opposed to the original 4 mils?
My BMW went through link rod boots like you mention, originals had 126,000 miles when I replaced them, the new ones lasted 4,000 miles, if that. I smeared a light coating of black RTV over the ballooned portion of the next set of new link rods, a thin, even coating, and this seems to be helping, now at 21,000 miles on the new links. . .
Colin