Hello! Log in or Register   |  Help  |  Donate  |  Buy Shirts See all banner ads | Advertise on TheSamba.com  
TheSamba.com
 
Ball Joint Boot replace - help
Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus Share: Facebook Twitter
Reply to topic
Print View
Quick sort: Show newest posts on top | Show oldest posts on top View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
pgtips
Samba Member


Joined: July 23, 2009
Posts: 860
Location: essex
pgtips is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 12:39 pm    Post subject: Ball Joint Boot replace - help Reply with quote

Hi,

I've got a bit stuck in replacing my front upper and lower ball joint boots.

Bentley jumps straight into repair assuming torsion bar has been removed but I wasn't anticipating full blown removal and do it on my bench, I expected to do it (replace the rubber boots) in situ.

I assumed I could undo bottom nuts (27mm) knock the stub through, replace boot and do up again... but as you can guess from the need to post its not quite working out that way.

Maybe it is that straightforward but I'm a bit cautious. There's a camber nut adjustment nut in there I really don't want to tamper with.

Assuming both bottom nuts are undone am I ok to knock the studs through?. (wood and club hammer) I can't use my splitter due to the camber nut which is why I'm pausing/asking just in case. Like I say Mr Bentley hasn't covered just replacing the boot.

Thank you,
PG
Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

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

_________________
1975 1.8l FI Auto Westy - Subaru converted
1971 356 kit 1600 TP - semi/stickshift
1971 1302 LS - semi/stickshift

Trim ring info here -> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=559668
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=451210
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=479721
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Jeff Geisen
Samba Chaplain


Joined: December 21, 2004
Posts: 1880
Location: N.W. Georgia
Jeff Geisen is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 1:28 pm    Post subject: Re: Ball Joint Boot replace - help Reply with quote

Seems to me you’re over thinking it. Bottom loose, correct?

Go to the top joint, loosen its lock nut and remove the bracket and line.

Crank the spindle to full lock. Strike the casting where the joint passes through. A few well placed hammer blows will separate the parts.

Always count on a wheel alignment when separating spindles from joints.
_________________
I Corinthians 4: 1 thru 5

‘63 ragtop - ‘68 single cab
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Instagram Gallery Classifieds Feedback
pgtips
Samba Member


Joined: July 23, 2009
Posts: 860
Location: essex
pgtips is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 1:33 pm    Post subject: Re: Ball Joint Boot replace - help Reply with quote

Jeff Geisen wrote:
Seems to me you’re over thinking it. Bottom loose, correct?

Yes they're both loose (see pic).
Jeff Geisen wrote:
Crank the spindle to full lock. Strike the casting where the joint passes through.
A few well placed hammer blows will separate the parts.


Thanks Jeff, I just wanted to be sure, I'll give them a few blows (it'll be tomorrow now ).

PG
_________________
1975 1.8l FI Auto Westy - Subaru converted
1971 356 kit 1600 TP - semi/stickshift
1971 1302 LS - semi/stickshift

Trim ring info here -> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=559668
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=451210
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=479721
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Wildthings
Samba Member


Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50261

Wildthings is offline 

PostPosted: Thu Jun 24, 2021 2:34 pm    Post subject: Re: Ball Joint Boot replace - help Reply with quote

You should be able to break the eccentric loose by just turning it with a wrench, maybe making a punch mark first so you can realign it right where it was before. You will then likely need to use a puller to remove the eccentric from the ball joint shaft.

The bottom ones you can get loose by setting the nut one turn loose from tight and putting a hydraulic jack under the end of the shaft, jacking the wheel up till it is just off the ground, and hitting the side of the eye with a 2#-4# hammer. You probably will not even have to hit it very hard.


Last edited by Wildthings on Mon Jun 28, 2021 3:11 pm; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Gallery Classifieds Feedback
pgtips
Samba Member


Joined: July 23, 2009
Posts: 860
Location: essex
pgtips is offline 

PostPosted: Mon Jun 28, 2021 3:07 pm    Post subject: Re: Ball Joint Boot replace - help Reply with quote

I got back to this job tonight and thought I'd post up in case anyone else does this (upper and lower ball joint boot replacement )

I got the nuts undone but the ball joint shafts wouldn't move out free of the housing.
Like others said you have to hit the housing with a club hammer. It takes a few hard whacks on the bottom one it came out and the top one, as bottom one dropped, freed itself.

Keep the nuts on the ball joint shaft so the housing doesn't drop onto the floor.

I couldn't get the boot clips on, there must be a tool for that, so I used some copper wire I had.

I got it bolted back up and close to finishing one side, other will be quicker.
There's a nut that adjusts camber, I marked mine only to find it already had some marks on it so I'll have to Bentley how to fix that. Next time I'll use some paint or like WT said, punch it. something unique I thought my mark was ok
_________________
1975 1.8l FI Auto Westy - Subaru converted
1971 356 kit 1600 TP - semi/stickshift
1971 1302 LS - semi/stickshift

Trim ring info here -> http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=559668
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=451210
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=479721
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website Gallery Classifieds Feedback
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic    Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

About | Help! | Advertise | Donate | Premium Membership | Privacy/Terms of Use | Contact Us | Site Map
Copyright © 1996-2023, Everett Barnes. All Rights Reserved.
Not affiliated with or sponsored by Volkswagen of America | Forum powered by phpBB
Links to eBay or other vendor sites may be affiliate links where the site receives compensation.