torn ball joint boots: $6-800?

[Wasted youth]

I did it like this guy... but I already have a 3/4 inch drive impact wrench, so that's cheating, I guess. I also paid $175.00 for the tool and had to wait more than a week for it to arrive:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihW9jNLjLZI

That's the FLAPS C-clamp rental tool with my veryextraspecialexpensive VW tool.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/1699756.jpg

[ToolBox]

[AirCooledClassics]

I have run an Air cooled restoration shop for 35 years now and I no longer will install ball joints , Replacement boots and tie rods unless all parts are supplied by the customer. I have increased my shop rate 25$ an hour to make up for the lost profit in parts sales. The reason for this is I cannot guarantee the parts I sell. All boots fail in less than a year( on rare occasion they last up to 2 years TRW) And If the cust supplies the parts I am Not responsible. And I don't have to lose my ass doing it again. The Parts we sell are Junk. German ,american or Chinese.
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NHRA Divisional Sports Compact Champion
My You-tube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJoq3MtsPmc

My National Dragster article
http://www.dragracecentral.com/DRCStory.asp?ID=231552

[cdennisg]

[Abscate]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

people don't want to hear it....and there is something no matter how blue in the face you get explaining something to someone they want you to "own it" for life....example: you repair a leaky oil cooler, but there are still some oil leaks "you just fixed my oil leak" then you want to scream and say, "no, I fixed your leaky oil cooler...there are 300 more places it can leak from"

people just don't get it. and it gets old defending every repair you make. then they jump on here (or other digital media) and get the other folks who have no clue reassure them they got hosed, and slam the name of the shop.
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[thewilly789]

Here is my take on the bus balljoint boots.
I was just inspecting my 1978 westfalia an noticed a torn boot.I removed the actual torsion arm-lower so i could properly check over the ball joint.The ball was not tight but loose but not overly loose-orginal 67k miles only on bus.
In the vw manual they say can have up to .080 ball joint play.New ball joint can have .012 play.I measured the torn one at .023 play with no grease or lube in it.I bought a new ball joint but then started reading about how they do not last,nothing like the 100k miles or more of orginals.I then wanted to regrease the existing bj so added a zerk grease fitting to it.Was able to properly drill an tap an clean the old bj.With new grease into it-proper way i can measure no play.Moves just like upper one but know there is some play.I took the boot off of the new-SIDEM brand of bj an got it on the old one-some mod needed.

So i would recommend measuring an properly checking existing-orginal bj.Replace boots if need to but keep orginal bj's if you can.alot less work an cost an you know they will last-as they have-not like new ones. >.080 is 2mm,thats alot of wear so those loose bj's can still be within specs.An last another 100k if mantained with grease .

JMO.

[Manfred58sc]

Zero warranty on any parts, been that way for 2 years at my shop. I don't care where its "made". I horde OG for my stuff so that is is sorta drivable. Sun is setting.
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Fat chick owner/operator

[airschooled]

JMO, thanks for joining us! Care to fill us in on where to get the best ball joint boots? I go through one or two boots every year.

Robbie
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Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com

[udidwht]

Did a full front end rebuild in spring 2012. Roll forward....noticed while doing my CV boots that both lower ball joint boots are open. Crap parts today folks....crap. Not going to even contemplate replacing them. By the time the over-sized balls joints wear themselves out (many miles later) it will be time to do a rebuild again.
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1972 Westy Hardtop/Type-4 2056cc
96mm Biral AA P/C's~7.8:1CR
Headflow Masters New AMC 42x36mm heads w/Porsche swivel adjusters
71mm Stroke
73 Web Cam w/Web solids
Dual 40mm IDF Webers - LM-2 - 47.5 idles/125 mains/190 air corr./F11 tubes/28mm Vents - Float height 10.45mm/Drop 32mm
Bosch SVDA w/Pertronix module (7.5 initial 28 total @ 3400rpm)
Bosch W8CC plugs
Pertronix Flamethrower 40K coil
S&S 4-1 w/Walker QP 17862
3 rib 002 Trans
185R14 Hankook tires

[BUSBOSS]

I am trying to visualize how you would get a new boot over the larger upper ball joint assembly if you are just replacing the boot. It makes sense that you would have to ditch the original clips with stainless wire.
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All the redemption I can offer, girl, is beneath this dirty hood
1976 Westfalia
1970 Karmann Ghia Convertible (sold - but not forgotten)

[Wildthings]

[RWK]

I could make the ball joint press adapters, 459-1/2 is there a large enough need? I have been making the center pin drift tool, (131a) they are popular, many sold.
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73 Type 181
63 Type 113
63 Type 261- 428 071
62 Type 241-378 025 178 530

[BUSBOSS]

[airschooled]

I use a pitman arm puller, available for rent from Flaps. Three-jaw pullers set correctly also work for me. I haven’t tried that style above, but I don’t think it would work for eccentric bushings.

Robbie
_________________
Learn how your vintage VW works. And why it doesn't!
One-on-one tech help for your Volkswagen:
www.airschooled.com

[SGKent]

Yes you can use a tool like that, and also two hammers like the image online below. Set one hammer against one side and hit the other. Usually that will break it loose. Leave the nut on so parts don't go flying.

[BUSBOSS]

[skills@eurocarsplus]

[airschooled]

[Wildthings]