TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Aug 26, 2019 7:04 pm

I bet I know the answer, but what the hell, I will ask it anyway. Bentley makes it like magic with the "special tool shown in figure 6-5". You can't really see the tool and especially can't see what it is doing. Then nothing direct when searching +steering +knuckle...

I have the new balljoints pressed in and the torsion arms with new seals installed, and still have all 8 fingers... :D :D

Now comes the steering knuckle. So I just keep man handling the arms with a jack, a crow bar etc...?

I did read one post that talked about ratchet strapping them together so they would both move at the same time... sounds do-able..

Is the key getting the two arms parallel? Am I right"

Mon Aug 26, 2019 10:32 pm

what is the question? The spindle goes on fairly easy once both arms are in. Slide one balljoint into the spindle then lift a little more and slide the other. You may have to put a jack under the bottom arm to bring it up to be able to thread the nut but don't recall any hard part. I thing you will want to put the bump stops in first. Do it quick cause there is a lot of pressure in those bars if the jack slips. That said make 100% sure that each ball joint is indexed so the axis of movement is like it is shown in Bentley.

Tue Aug 27, 2019 4:18 am

Picture is a bit fuzzy, i know. But the btm joint is in the knuckle and the top is 2 inches away. That is a problem.

I’ll try the bump stop idea. That way i only have to lift the btm.

Tue Aug 27, 2019 7:41 am

put the floorjack under the lower arm. Don't topple the bus. You only need to lift until you can get the washer and nut on. Don't forget the brake hose plate. Also make sure the notch on the eccentric is straight ahead.

Tue Aug 27, 2019 9:28 am

SGKent wrote: Don't forget the brake hose plate. Also make sure the notch on the eccentric is straight ahead.

Yes, the brake hose plate. I don't have the hoses on, so I am not positive about the direction the plate should point.

Tuff to find a good picture of one installed. But I am assuming UP and BACK is the proper direction.

I did see several posts and and a notation in the Bentley about the notch. Also saw a recommendation about using anti-seize on the BJ shafts and eccentric. I hope it is the Next Owner that has to deal with removing these BJs. But should I help them out (or me) with anti-seize?

You forgot to remind me about the washers..... I have them ready to go as well.

Tue Aug 27, 2019 10:51 am

I found this picture. I can tell the brake line plate is pointing DOWN. Not sure about forward or back tho. looks like it might be pointing BACK.

Tue Aug 27, 2019 10:57 am

http://viewfromabus.blogspot.com/2007/01/installing-torsion-arms-part-i.html

and this picture with labels from the above blog link. Lots of stuff there, gotta find some time to look thru it..... still thinking it is pointing BACK. :D

more good links for future searchers...

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=568688&highlight=ball+joints

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=7800007

Tue Aug 27, 2019 11:41 am

one of the links above has the answer to my anti-seize question.... Man he "slathered" it on everything, and I mean everything. Alittle late for the the ball joints, but I can still get everything.