1982 Westy end link to lower control arm re-install help!

captainpartytime

I am at the finish line of a long, arduous, front end rebuild on my 1982 diesel westy and can't seem to get my sway bar-end link-lower control arm to re-connect. I replaced upper and lower control arm bushings, upper and lower ball joints, gowesty 1.5" lift springs, bilstein HD shocks, tie rod ends, and radius arm bushings.

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

I left the sway bar-end link-lower control arm attachment to last but can't seem to get the end link to line up with the lower control arm.

The end link on the drivers side also seems extremely close to the springs. Not sure if this will alleviate itself once the end link is tight in the lower control arm. While installing the new radius arm bushings I made a point to keep the same settings on the radius arms adjusting nuts.

My question: Are there any tricks tips to getting the end link to line up enough to tighten down the end link to lower control arm connection? The new bushings don't seem to help as they don't quit fit inside the recess of the lower control arm. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks
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-Kerry

1982 turbo diesel Westfalia

a2d2 · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 3:36 pm Post subject:

Something sure does look strange regarding how close to the springs the endlinks are... Is that the same bar and links that were on always on there? Any chance the bar is on upside down?

As far as getting the links bolted to the radius rods goes, I think you'll need to leave this until the wheels are back on and the van is on the ground. The weight of the van helps to compress the springs but you will still likely need a cranker strap or crowbar (or both) to get the nuts started.

I also found it helpful to use one of the old bushings on each side for a few days before putting the new ones on (this helps compress the new ones).
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1981 Vanagon, Aircooled 2.0 AFC
1978 Baywindow Bus (R.I.P.)

captainpartytime · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 5:48 pm Post subject:

captainpartytime · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 5:56 pm Post subject:

This sounds like a stupid question, but here goes... how could I tell if the sway bar was installed upside down???
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-Kerry

1982 turbo diesel Westfalia

0to60in6min · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 6:49 pm Post subject:

I am not an expert but on the pic it seems to me it was flipped...

dobryan · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 7:35 pm Post subject:

Does Bentley show an exploded view of this that may help determine orientation?
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Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD

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captainpartytime · Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2015 10:13 pm Post subject:

Orientation (upside down) does not seem to be the issue. After searching through other builds the sway bar is pointing down which seems to be the correct orientation. I am hoping a front end guru will be able to see something in the photos and chime in on some advice. I am in the process of getting the wheels back on and seeing what it looks like with the weight of the van on the wheels...
_________________
-Kerry

1982 turbo diesel Westfalia

0to60in6min · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2015 8:12 am Post subject:

hmmm... I just look under mine, it has a straight link not a dog leg shape like yours...

is it a special/custom made one?

VWinVT · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2015 8:30 am Post subject:

I think the later vans have a straight link and the early ones had a curved link...perhaps this is the issue...with the new parts now installed?
_________________
1981 Westfalia with a 2001 Cabrio ABA

Small wheel turns by the firing rod,
Big wheel turns by the grace of God.
Every time that wheel turns 'round,
You're bound to cover just a little more ground.

0to60in6min · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2015 8:42 am Post subject:

I compare a '85 and a '90.. they all have straight links... so it must be something at least earlier than '85...

so the OP may have a mix of late and early parts ...

edit: this is the difference - with or without power steering

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=23625

VWinVT · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2015 8:55 am Post subject:

Yes, I have an 81 and it has the curved links.
_________________
1981 Westfalia with a 2001 Cabrio ABA

Small wheel turns by the firing rod,
Big wheel turns by the grace of God.
Every time that wheel turns 'round,
You're bound to cover just a little more ground.

0to60in6min · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2015 10:01 am Post subject:

this may help you see better where's your problem

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7475225

captainpartytime · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2015 11:24 am Post subject:

The curved end links were from 1980-Oct. 31, 1984. From 1884 on the end links were straight. All the parts in question: sway bar, end link, lower control arm, strut bar (radius arm) are all the same. The only new part, other than bushings and ball joints are the springs.
_________________
-Kerry

1982 turbo diesel Westfalia

0to60in6min · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2015 11:49 am Post subject:

may be I am wrong but comparing 2 pics... it seems to me your new spring is a bit larger in diameter...

VWinVT · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2015 5:12 pm Post subject:

I was thinking the same thing...that the new spring diameter is bigger...perhaps the straight links will solve this issue?
_________________
1981 Westfalia with a 2001 Cabrio ABA

Small wheel turns by the firing rod,
Big wheel turns by the grace of God.
Every time that wheel turns 'round,
You're bound to cover just a little more ground.

captainpartytime · Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2015 10:08 pm Post subject:

All three pictures show the same spring. The last pic is a little more of a close up which makes it look bigger...
_________________
-Kerry

1982 turbo diesel Westfalia

70coupyel · Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2015 2:28 pm Post subject:

OK I had to go look at mine. Right side with the wheel turned to the right about 75%. I replaced all rubber front end bits last year.
First picture shows less than 1/2 inch clearance between the bend in the end link and the spring. I just slipped my finger through and it had some drag on it. 1/2 thick finger. Wink

The upper one is closer to 5/8 inch plus.

It look like my end link has rubbed on the spring before. I would think at full compression this happens. As the sway bar end gets parallel with the ground it would push the end link to the rear of the van. Has anyone else seen this before?

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