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rockerarm
Samba Member
Joined: December 16, 2009
Posts: 3552
Location: Los Angeles
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 Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 2:29 pm Post subject: Ball Joints |
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Hey all. looking at replacing all four ball joints on a friends car soon. Being that I don't do this repair stuff much lately, I am looking for a brand or parts source that will stand behind the quality if the boot tears prematurely, as we all know this job is labor intensive.
Thanks in advance, Bill. |
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glutamodo 
The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 26324
Location: Douglas, WY
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| Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 3:53 pm Post subject: |
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With some of the horror stories I've heard about poor fitting ball joints in the last few years, I don't know who would offer that kind of warranty.
And I had a heck of a time finding a place that could press out the ball joints when I did them on one of my cars several years ago. If/when I have to do it again, I think I'll just go to Wolfgang. They sell exchange torsion arms that have already been refitted with new ball joints. Looks like a 60 dollar core charge and 90 dollars for the arms.
https://www.wolfgangint.com/store/product/reconditioned-ball-joint-arms-311405371wg/#
I got reman'd king/link spindles for my 62 bug from them, which made that job a quick one for me.
-Andy |
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Stuart Maingot
Samba Member
Joined: December 13, 2009
Posts: 240
Location: Trinidad West Indies
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| Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 4:06 pm Post subject: |
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| While i agree it may be complex if you are not familiar, it really is a simple and rewarding job when done correctly. Some fit problems that are common relate to worn arms where the ball joint is a press fit. There are oversize ball joints for this so it can be overcome. A small hydraulic press, some tubing capped at one end for pressing the joint, some cold ones to keep you calm and voila....it's done. |
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wcfvw69
Samba Purist
Joined: June 10, 2004
Posts: 13389
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 5:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Stuart Maingot wrote: |
| While i agree it may be complex if you are not familiar, it really is a simple and rewarding job when done correctly. Some fit problems that are common relate to worn arms where the ball joint is a press fit. There are oversize ball joints for this so it can be overcome. A small hydraulic press, some tubing capped at one end for pressing the joint, some cold ones to keep you calm and voila....it's done. |
Agree. You can buy a cheap ball joint press from Harbor freight. I installed the four German ball joints on my 67 with it. I used diff size sockets and cut a pipe as mentioned before. Once you get the ball joints out, make sure you remove the rust where the ball joints press in before installation and make sure you line the ball joints up correctly.
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pwmcguire
Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2011
Posts: 1108
Location: Kennesaw GA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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| most flaps have a loan a tool program. They have tools to remove and install ball joints |
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saucerman
Samba Member
Joined: February 17, 2004
Posts: 499
Location: Deep South GA
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| Posted: Thu Jan 16, 2014 8:59 pm Post subject: |
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What glutamodo said. I did the ball joints on my 68 Bus using their arms and the job was a little labor intense, but allowed me to replace bushings and re-grease the beam. The Bug should be much easier to do. Wolfgang is also very good about returning your core charge.
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70 Beetle (1776 MoFoCo)
68 Bus (1600DP)
02 Beetle
I have my Bus, my backpack full of food and my AK47...bring on the Zombies! |
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old DKP driver
Samba Member
Joined: March 30, 2005
Posts: 4145
Location: Los Gatos,Ca.
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| Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 6:21 pm Post subject: type 1 B J' |
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Hi Bill,
You should remember that on a type 1 we could do them on the car as opposed to a type 2 where you have to remove the trailing arms.
I wish I had a picture to show you of the tool but, it was basically a thick
steel tube with a section cut away for the driver and joint to sit in.
Then we use a 1/2 impact to drive the old joint out But, times have changed
and you gotta do what you gotta.do.. 
Like Andy said you can always get all 4 exchanged too.
Good Hunting my friend 
Chris
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