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Fri Dec 06, 2024 4:11 am

Hi. I've been doing some maint on the front suspension. New stabiliser drop links and bushes and I notice that the upper ball joint rubbers appear damp. Could this be an issue?
I've recently been away for 6 weeks and 9001km on some pretty rough roads so gave the bus a real workout.

Fri Dec 06, 2024 9:18 pm

Pretty easy to replace, especially if you are doing maintenance. I just used the harbor freight tool https://www.harborfreight.com/3-4-quarter-inch-for...gKvIfD_BwE

here is a solution if it spins when installing.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=9457126

https://www.vanagononline.com/articles/upper-ball-joint-replacement-on-all-vanagon/

Fri Dec 06, 2024 11:12 pm

Damp, as in the boot may be stained slightly? No rips in the boots?
Check for any play, specifically up and down in the joint.
If there is no play, carry on with use.

Do you know the history of those joints?
Some of the parts available today are total garbage, it would be a shame to change out decent joints for an inferior joint that may not make it a year.
Upper ball joints can last a very long time, especially if they are OEM.

Sat Dec 07, 2024 7:04 pm

TopBud wrote: Pretty easy to replace, especially if you are doing maintenance. I just used the harbor freight tool...

I used that tool but as I recall I had to enlarge the opening using an angle grinder to get it to work. Maybe I only needed that modification for the lower BJs... it's been a while. But that's the great thing about HF tools -- they're grinder- friendly.

Sat Dec 07, 2024 7:43 pm

Wellington wrote: Damp, as in the boot may be stained slightly? No rips in the boots?
Check for any play, specifically up and down in the joint.
If there is no play, carry on with use.

Do you know the history of those joints?
Some of the parts available today are total garbage, it would be a shame to change out decent joints for an inferior joint that may not make it a year.
Upper ball joints can last a very long time, especially if they are OEM.

Thanks Wellington. All good points. There doesn't appear to be any play.

The lowers are a different thing. Lots of play and will be replaced.

Thank everyone.

Sun Dec 08, 2024 3:16 pm

Are you aware of the quality of lower ball joints?
Lemforder and Moog use to be the best, and were as good as originals.
I believe Lemforder is discontinued, and Moog has gone the cheap route/

A quality lower ball joint has a thick cast end cap with a raised "nipple" in the center. The cheap joints all have a stamped plate as a cover. They just don't last.
You can search it up here.

T3 techniques in the USA have undertaken manufacturing of ball joint in the correct fashion. You should check those out.
Lower ball joints are a bit of a challenge to change, you don't want to be doing it over again too soon.

Mon Dec 09, 2024 1:38 am

njg02 wrote:
The lowers are a different thing. Lots of play and will be replaced.

Thank everyone.

You'll likely need a 20 ton press and the correct fitting or similar to press them out. I did the lowers on my syncro last year and it took all of the 20 tons to get them off. YMMV.