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mac5270VW Samba Member
Joined: September 30, 2021 Posts: 9 Location: Denver, CO
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Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2021 7:55 pm Post subject: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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I'm rebuilding the torsion tubes on my 1970 Beetle.
Which is better in the long run;
Having someone remove and install all four ball joints, or try to do it myself?
I don't have a ball joint kit, and they look to be anywhere from $65 to $160.
I'm not a professional mechanic, so it's a one time, one use expenditure.
Any thoughts?
Thanks! |
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viiking Samba Member
Joined: May 10, 2013 Posts: 2668 Location: Sydney Australia
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Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:01 pm Post subject: Re: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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They can be difficult to remove and replace. Unless you have access to a hydraulic press, pulling them out and putting them in is a job for a professional or a DIY'er with the equipment.
Even with a 10 tonne press, it was not easy. Some can be very stubborn to remove and the ball joint needs to be oriented correctly back in. _________________ 1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3 |
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heimlich VWNOS.com
Joined: November 20, 2016 Posts: 6616 Location: Houston, Texas
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Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2021 8:03 pm Post subject: Re: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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You can go to your local autozone and borrow tools such as that. They just ask for a deposit.
The ball joint kits that are made nowadays don't have the correct size cups. You can find some sockets that are close. _________________ www.vwnos.com [email protected]
Classic Brands. Classic Quality.
Not all parts are made the same. NOS OE/OEM parts made mainly in West Germany, Early Germany, and Early Brazil are where VW produced the best quality parts and best fitting products.
5% Off your order with coupon code: 5%OFF
Restored Distributors Available (<--Click here) |
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johneliot Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 2189 Location: Chico, CA
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modok Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2009 Posts: 26787 Location: Colorado Springs
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Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 12:08 am Post subject: Re: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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It's ok your not a mechanic, it's not really a job for a mechanic.
alignment shops or machine shops probably
Having the correct fitting driver and support is the key no matter what way you do it.
Making THESE tools is more along the lines of fabrication or machining.
Making sure the part fits correctly before jamming it in there is also important, which requires some understanding of precision fits.
If there is a special tool you can rent that will do it, that's great, but, i have my doubts.
If there was a little kit then.... I would not be needing a big press many hundreds of pounds of steel do dads of many different sizes in order to do these jobs. They are constantly inventing yet new designs and sizes of bushings bearings and joiunts which need even a NEW do-dad.
one of my WILD IDEAS I think about sometimes, would be to just get the 'kit" light enough to fit in a truck so I can be mobile... but it isn't easy, you don't see anybody doing that. tho if you do... have him do it |
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ghianowbug Samba Member
Joined: January 02, 2016 Posts: 126 Location: Oakville, Ontario , Canada
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Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 12:22 am Post subject: Re: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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i would go the remanufactured route such as those on air cooled .net i bot mine from late night air cooled i n chico I would assume that when they are rebuilt that they are checked for straightness and then the the ball joints get properly seated. sure you pay a bit more but you are not fudging around I bot one of those tools and tried but could not get the ball joints all out and the tool started bending from the force. |
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kangaboy Samba Member
Joined: August 28, 2010 Posts: 1063 Location: St. Louis, Mo
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Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 6:31 am Post subject: Re: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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mac5270VW wrote: |
Which is better in the long run;
Having someone remove and install all four ball joints, or try to do it myself?
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My local AirCooled shop does them for $20 each. If I didn't have access to a 25ton press and the confidence to do the job right, it would have been a no brainer to me when I did mine a couple months ago. $80 to have them swapped out is money well spent, especially if you are just planning on doing the one set. _________________ -74 Standard - "CaliBug" 2084T, MS3X w/FI and Crank Fire
-76 Westy - "Gandalf"
-18 GTI SE
skills@eurocarsplus wrote: |
that fucking thing looks like it drove through a J.C. Whitney catalogue and hit everything on the way out |
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Cusser Samba Member
Joined: October 02, 2006 Posts: 31379 Location: Hot Arizona
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Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 7:08 am Post subject: Re: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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I called a mostly-VW shop in Prescott Arizona for a quote for all 4 ball joints on my 1970 (3 are factory ones still (over 260K miles); I was quoted $600-$700 for all four which included the alignment.
So far, haven't had that done... _________________ 1970 VW (owned since 1972) and 1971 VW Convertible (owned since 1976), second owner of each. The '71 now has the 1835 engine, swapped from the '70. Second owner of each. 1988 Mazda B2200 truck, 1998 Frontier, 2014 Yukon, 2004 Frontier King Cab. All manual transmission except for the Yukon. http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335294 http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_page.php?pic_id=335297 |
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Marinablau703 Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2021 Posts: 169 Location: Hudson Valley/LI, NY
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Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 7:40 am Post subject: Re: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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FWIW, I did all 4 of my ball joints early this year when I cleaned up the front end. After some copious heating with a MAP torch, my 20 ton press made light work of all 4, both removal and reinstallation. Took maybe a half hour start-finish? Make sure that the joints are clocked correctly using the marks on the new joints; I forget what brand I got (either Meyle or Lemforder), but I got them from FCP Euro for the lifetime warranty. I then tried a set of ball joints off a Bus, and my press wasn't enough for the amount of heat I could add with MAP and I was defeated.
Loaded arms are pricey compared to just ball joints ($10 each), but can start to pay for themselves if repeated trips to a machine shop are required.
Edit: sometimes the joint is fine but the boot is not; FCP carries boots and retainers separately. |
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ghianowbug Samba Member
Joined: January 02, 2016 Posts: 126 Location: Oakville, Ontario , Canada
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Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 9:12 am Post subject: Re: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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not everybody has a 20 ton press but even then when you apply heat and use a press you can deform the area where the ball joint sits . I decided that 200 for a set was worth my time . I had some previously pressed in and the shop charged me 200 in labour plus cost of ball joints. whatever you do I would recommend that you get the best quality ball joint possible especially if you are not doing it yourself as the labour will get you again if you have to redo . |
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eashc Samba Member
Joined: April 10, 2012 Posts: 340 Location: Ventura County
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Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 9:21 am Post subject: Re: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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heimlich wrote: |
You can go to your local autozone and borrow tools such as that. They just ask for a deposit.
The ball joint kits that are made nowadays don't have the correct size cups. You can find some sockets that are close. |
I went this route, worked for me |
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Blue69Baja Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2008 Posts: 1065 Location: Fair Oaks
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Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 9:27 am Post subject: Re: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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Here is a great video done by Slades VW. He does it the old way with no press.
Link
Jim _________________ 69 Baja with a 1914...
72 Super 100% orig...W/ factory air... 56,000mi
Even the spare is original.. |
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Zundfolge1432 Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2004 Posts: 12467
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Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 9:32 am Post subject: Re: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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I did mine too under the supervision of a more experienced mechanic. It was summertime hot and took about two days. I felt taxed physically but I did it😀
Of course everything was original and rusted.
Last edited by Zundfolge1432 on Thu Oct 28, 2021 11:31 am; edited 3 times in total |
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Blue69Baja Samba Member
Joined: September 04, 2008 Posts: 1065 Location: Fair Oaks
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Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 9:33 am Post subject: Re: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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They do not have any avail. Bummer!
Jim _________________ 69 Baja with a 1914...
72 Super 100% orig...W/ factory air... 56,000mi
Even the spare is original.. |
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Zundfolge1432 Samba Member
Joined: June 13, 2004 Posts: 12467
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Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 11:33 am Post subject: Re: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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Man up get the tools and DIY. |
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johneliot Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2005 Posts: 2189 Location: Chico, CA
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Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 3:23 pm Post subject: Re: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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They aren’t the only place that carries them. _________________ John
There is no distinctly American criminal class - except Congress.
Mark Twain
69 bug - "The Grey Ghost" |
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Starbucket Samba Member
Joined: April 30, 2007 Posts: 4025 Location: WA
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Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 3:42 pm Post subject: Re: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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Saw a wrecking yardman do this, Get a short 4lb. sludge hammer and wack the side of the A arm right where the taper is where the ball joint seats after removing the nut, comes right out with no damage to either parts. |
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modok Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2009 Posts: 26787 Location: Colorado Springs
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Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 5:27 pm Post subject: Re: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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Yep and that's something both mechanics and machinists probably SHOULD understand and know how to do, works whenever you have a taper or press fit in a relatively thinwall part.
It's not necessarily one big hit, just peening it with many small hits can work too. |
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VW_Jimbo Samba Member
Joined: May 22, 2016 Posts: 9966 Location: Huntington Beach, CA
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Posted: Thu Oct 28, 2021 10:13 pm Post subject: Re: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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Starbucket wrote: |
Saw a wrecking yardman do this, Get a short 4lb. sludge hammer and wack the side of the A arm right where the taper is where the ball joint seats after removing the nut, comes right out with no damage to either parts. |
That was the method I was taught. The mechanic that taught me also head a second hammer at the opposite side of the joint being struck. Don’t know the reasoning (I could hypothesis something, but why), but I know it works well! _________________ Jimbo
There is never enough time to do it right the first time, but all the time necessary the second time!
TDCTDI wrote: |
Basically, a whole bunch of fuckery to achieve a look. |
67rustavenger wrote: |
GFY's Xevin and VW_Jimbo! |
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Marinablau703 Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2021 Posts: 169 Location: Hudson Valley/LI, NY
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Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 7:37 am Post subject: Re: Ball joint removal and Installation |
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Blue69Baja wrote: |
Here is a great video done by Slades VW. He does it the old way with no press.
Link
Jim |
I've done a similar method for the hydraulic tension strut bushings on later model BMWs, worked well. The benefit is if the work is done carefully enough, the old ball joint shell is now a perfectly sized adapter for use in a press in the future. |
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