Hello all: I'm new to the list. Just bought an '87 Vanagon for the express purpose of learning the trade. Here's what I learned lying on my back in the driveway in Michigan in January: Buy the 12-point tool for <$10 when you buy the new joints. The FLAPS and dealers don't have it. Snap-on thinks it's worth $20. Safety: I left the heavy floor jack in place as a backup to the jack stands, in addition to Rhino Ramps and wheel chocks. Try to rock the van before crawling underneath it. Recalcitrant bolts need a drill and easy-out. When this fails, 1/4" NPT gas pipe gently driven over the bolt heads may give a good grip. Turn it with your pliers/pipe wrench/whatever. A chisel applied to the outer circumference of the head may also work. Change the joints gently-take them to a shop with a press. The locals tend to replace the shafts with new cv/shaft assemblies-same price/less labor.. Stripped bolts in the outer joints nearly sabotaged this project. Persistence pays. George __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Talk to your friends online with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com |
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