TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Jun 19, 2022 7:05 pm

Lots of pictures. Doing every bushing and ball joint. Everything is original to the van and most is in really good condition for the age.

Sun Jun 19, 2022 7:09 pm

Sun Jun 19, 2022 7:14 pm

Sun Jun 19, 2022 7:15 pm

Sun Jun 19, 2022 7:17 pm

Sun Jun 19, 2022 8:27 pm

Nice !

What paint did you use? What springs, what shocks?

Have fun installing the new parts!

Sun Jun 19, 2022 8:34 pm

VicVan wrote: Nice !

What paint did you use? What springs, what shocks?

Have fun installing the new parts!

I used POR 15 on the parts. The springs and stabilizer bar I just sprayed with rust oleum.

Don't remember the name of the shocks. I just went standard. I didn't replace the springs. They look good. My van sits high.

I also have 4 new tires that will be installed.

Sun Jun 19, 2022 8:54 pm

I spent Saturday (9am to 7pm) doing the radius arm and sway bar bushings and it felt like a massive endeavor. I’m so impressed with the scope of this suspension rebuild. Mighty fine work.

Sun Jun 19, 2022 9:20 pm

Robsmaze wrote: I spent Saturday (9am to 7pm) doing the radius arm and sway bar bushings and it felt like a massive endeavor. I’m so impressed with the scope of this suspension rebuild. Mighty fine work.

Why was it so hard?

I had to really clean the rod and heat up the control arm to unscrew it but other than that it was not a biggie.

Sun Jun 19, 2022 9:29 pm

About 3 hours were spent getting the radius rods loose. Heat, penetrant, heat, penetrant. Some bad experiences with breaking bolts has gotten me cautious. I finally just stood on the 27mm wrench on the passenger side and it came loose. My van also has this wonderful rubbery, tarish underbody coating that was done sloppily 30 years ago, so several hours were spent cleaning with a wire brush and repainting everything. Then, I overlubed the drop link bushings and had a hell of a time getting them on the sway bar. Finally a team effort of my girlfriend using a quick clamp while I held it in place popped them both on in 3 minutes, after I tried to do it myself for an hour and a half. There is a lesson there about asking for help that I’m sure I didn’t learn.
And (despite warnings) I got bushing lube in my hair. had to wash it twice - lol.

I still have the upper and lower control arm bushings to do in a couple weekends. We’ll see if that goes more smoothly!

Sun Jun 19, 2022 10:59 pm

Great documentation Zodi. Simple photo progress of tackling a large job is inspiration for others to "just do it". And don't you just love that refreshing feeling when it's all buttoned up and the work is behind you? Giant "to-do list" check mark with pride!

Cheers,
BK

Mon Jun 20, 2022 3:34 am

Very nice job! May I ask, what kind of de-ruster you used on the lower controlarms? Seems like a jelly consistence?

Mon Jun 20, 2022 5:07 am

Nice job,
Thanks for all of the photos
I put this in the FAQ's because of the good photos and the tricks you used to install the parts.

I need to do this exact thing on my 90 but don't want to use the inferior ball joints on the market today.

I've been patiently waiting for T3's ship to come in with his lower joints.
I already have his uppers (if I can find them 😂 it's been months) while I wait for his lowers.

My front right is bad and not improving........

Dave

Mon Jun 20, 2022 10:01 am

WestiT3_1986 wrote: Very nice job! May I ask, what kind of de-ruster you used on the lower controlarms? Seems like a jelly consistence?

It's a POR15 kit. Has a degreaser, metal etcher and then the paint itself.

Mon Jun 20, 2022 10:03 am

When I cut the bolt of the pass side lower control arm it messed up the mount so this morning I used my crappy welder to fill it and sand, fill and sand until I was happy enough with it.

I'm not a welder but this is good enough for me.

Sat Jun 25, 2022 7:45 pm

Finishing the front

Sat Jun 25, 2022 7:46 pm

And start driver rear

Mon Jun 27, 2022 2:40 pm

I thought I was being smart trying to use a condom to prevent the brake build from draining. Apparently, brake fluid is not a good lube. The condom broke from the fumes. lol. Ended up putting a plastic bag and rubber bands.

Tue Jun 28, 2022 1:46 pm

Tue Jun 28, 2022 5:52 pm

thanks for all the documentation! great help!