bradself Samba Member
Joined: January 13, 2013 Posts: 167 Location: SF, CA
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2014 11:25 am Post subject: ball joints again |
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Okay, largely just airing frustration: why, again, wont 98-2010 beetle golf joints work, stock mounting pattern aside, or Vanagon upper balljoints with a fab'd adapter? I know people have gnashed many teeth over this but there has to be some solution other than prayer and $150 a pair when you do find stock ones. Oy! |
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raygreenwood Samba Member
Joined: November 24, 2008 Posts: 21474 Location: Oklahoma City
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Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2014 2:43 pm Post subject: |
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There is a back burner project I have been playing with. It entails taking one of my joints to NAPA and matching up what joint will have the same taper and close enough pin length.
Now that im thinking about it I may be able to just throw one in my trunk and have it with me when I pass a NAPA.
What it will most likely be close to is a pick up truck joint. If I can find one that is even oversized very slightly....or within a degree or two of pin taper....it would be safd and worth it to buy a taper drill bit and ream the bore on the control arm.
What this will require of the joint will be an A-arm style press in joint, the type with a flange on the end opposite the taper pin. It should be about 2"-2.25" outer diameter. ...and the socket/cartridge section along with the flange should be no more than about that same length.
From there its fairly simple to have a socket with a three point flange machined. The joint presses in from the top. The bottom of the strut protruding through the steering knuckle should back it up in contact exactly. In this way the fit only needs to be a very small knterteren e to oeep it tight and you wont need a snap ring to keep it in.
But for the moment if you joints are not loose or rusted but just have ripped boots.....I just arrived home from the holiday....and on Tuesday I will be finishing the second half of my ball joint boot mold and will be molding a sample Tuesday night. Its been 10 different molding attempts but I think I have it. Ray |
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