Tools for the ball joint beam bearing/bushing replacement

[mxl556]

Hello All,

Driver's side upper torsion arm has significant play in the bearing/bushing and I am planning to take it apart and replace the bushing and the bearing. It is a 1973 Ghia. I have sourced factory (OEM) parts, no poly or delrin for me. I searched the forum but was unable to find the info on what tools I would need. I am thinking slide hammer to take them out and properly sized socket and or a pipe to press them in?

Thank you,
Max

[runamoc]

[jeffrey8164]

When I worked for an air cooled shop, we had a tool that could change them on the car. It was a C-clamp type of thing with changeable mandrels for upper and lower, in or out.
We also had special mandrels for a press.
Sadly, you will only find them used.

When I rebuilt my beam in 2018 I used a generic ball joint tool to press them out but to press them in required a special groove and angled mandrel that isn’t in any kit I’ve seen. I took them to the shop down the road where I take our other cars. They butchered up a large socket, pressed them in and only charged me $50.00
_________________
Volkswagen!
Turning owners into mechanics since 1938.

“Let he that is without oil throw the first rod”
(Compression 8.7:1)

[runamoc]

[LVGhia72]

The tool to remove the bearing's is called a inner bearing puller. Some look like a slide hammer others like a gear puller. They have different sizes and lengths. Check E-bay or Amazon. Cheap ones are about $35.00.

The tool to install the bearings is called a bearing driver. The also come in different sizes and lengths. You could install the outer bearing with a brass drift. However, the inner bearing is a different story. You will need a bearing driver of some sort.

Unless you like buying tools (which I do), I would suggest checking a VW repair shop to do the bearing work or a machine shop.

Steve

[mxl556]

Thank you very much for your help everyone, sounds like it is time to shop for the inner bearing puller and the bearing driver. I will look for that other slide hammer tool, but bearing puller sounds more appropriate for the job. As long as it reaches deep enough.

Ball joints seemed fine last time I checked, but if they need replacement I will take torsion arms to a shop to have them replaced.

Max

[Ian Godfrey]

the outer needle bearings have fairly soft cage, so the bearing driver needs to be a neat fit.
if you have access to a lathe you can make a bearing driver out of a pice of 50mm aluminium bar. One end is for the bottom beam and the other for the top.