link pin vs. ball joint

[luis]

I searched and could not find pictures or any threads on this. What is the best way to tell the difference between a link pin and ball joint front end. My car has an adjustable front end and I want to go disc brakes in the front only but I can't tell the difference between link pin and ball joint. Any help is appreciated.

[69 Jim]

Luis, What year is your car?

[56_in_714]

Looks like you have a late car so it'd be Ball Joint. What year is it ?

[HamburgerBrad]

a quick way to tell is to take a measuring tape to the beam. BJ will measure about 6" center to center of the tubes where LP will measure about 5"
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OGST | CU05 | OGJHC
1970 baja|1953 oval

Wanted: two beat up, ugly, curb rashed 6" phone dial wheels

[indigo]

For Standard Bugs:
65 and down are Link Pin.

66 and up are Ball Joint.


Best visual cue is the shock. The bolt that holds the upper end of the shock to the beam is horizontal on Link Pin front ends... and vertical on Ball Joint front ends.

=D

[philip1]

easiest way it just luk at ur shockers, link pin have 2 12mm eyelets and the shocker towers are vertical or damn close, balljoint ha a top pin and bottom 12mm eyelet and the tower cum out at an angle.

[ScrapJunkie]

Philip..please use real words next time eh?
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(O\U|U/O) Top Vw (o\UU/o)

[luis]

Thanks fellas, my bug is a 65. Now the real question what dick brake kit do you recommend?

Luis
https://home.comcast.net/~marieetluis/vw_main_page.htm

[bill may]

he is british so he is not using americanized english-- for instance his beetles have wings while ours have fenders.. since i graduated from high school in 1961 i have developed a tolerance for miss spelled words that have a tendency to irritate those still in high school or recent graduates... i also developed a strong feeling for which beetles to avoid except as parts carts cars for my 67's while working as a vw beetle tech. at dealership in late 60's and through mid 70's..... i am anal about info on vw's just but tolerant on spelling.

[Delaware Dave]

Bill May,
There's tolerance, then there's illiteracy.

I don't have a problem with a few misspelled words either, until the overall message looks like a jumble of letters. I definitely have a problem of thinking faster then I type, so my Emails and posts would look insane unless I previewed them. Everyone should try to reread their messages or glance at the preview before hitting the submit button.
_________________
\X/ Delaware Dave

'71 Standard Beetle Project
'69 Type 3 fastback (sold), '65 Standard Beetle (sold),
'05 Passat 1.8 Turbo, '97 Jetta Tdi (sold)

[T1SuperNoob]

Thanks for asking this, in the same boat and my rookie mind is like huh... This question and the answers helped so hats off to ya

[mukluk]

Rather ancient post, but since it's continuing to help folks it could still benefit from some visual aids. The link pin vs ball joint style of beam refers to the method used to attach the steering knuckle/spindle assembly to the trailing arms of the front suspension beam.

If you look inboard of a front wheel and see what looks like the picture below, it's a link pin beam. Note at the wheel end of the trailing arms the knuckle/spindle assembly is attached via horizontal pins (link pins), captured in place with pinch bolts through the ends of the arms.

If you look at the steering knuckle and it looks like the picture below, it's a ball joint beam. Note at the wheel end of the trailing arms the knuckle/spindle assembly is attached via vertical ball joints with their characteristic flexible grease boots.

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1960 Ragtop w/Semaphores "Inga"

[wdfifteen]

[scottyrocks]