Date: Sun, 12 Mar 2000 10:41:21 -0800
Reply-To: Brent Christensen <bpchristensen1@HOME.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Brent Christensen <bpchristensen1@HOME.COM>
Subject: Re: Front End Work (Corrected)
In-Reply-To: <38CBDEB0.3C13361B@concentric.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Steve:
This is EXACTLY what I am doing right now. I knew that I would be replacing
the shocks (with OME ones) and the Springs (customs from Betts last year).
I went through the microfiche and singled out ALL the parts I thought I
would change during the job. This was to include a COMPLETE front brake job
(new rotors, caliper rebuild, etc.) Here is my parts list ('89 Syncro
Westy):
(Prices are from Bus Depot)
251 407 077 Upper control arm bush (4) $24.95
251 407 183 Lower front A-arm bushing (2) $8.96
251 407 187 Lower Ball joint (2) $19.95
251 407 361 Upper Ball Joint (2) $24.395
D3029M Semi-metallic brake pads $19.95
251 407 615Q Brake Rotor, Syncro (2) $39.95
251 698 471A Brake Caliper Repair kit, Girling (1) $9.95
251 407 625 Front wheel bearing, Syncro (2) $40.95
251 407 629 Front wheel seal, Syncro (4) $22.95
While pulling the front apart for the brake job, I carefully surveyed what
it would take to do the rest of the work, and figure out how much of it to
do myself. My observations:
1. The lower ball joint must be pressed in and out with a hydraulic press
2. Doing the upper control arm bushing would be easy, but then I will need a
$50 alignment
3. Getting to the lower A-arm bushing (which must be pressed out, I believe)
will be a PITA and require tearing the whole front end apart
My conclusion:
Since I am going to take the car to my talented Vanagon mechanic here in SB
for the springs and shocks (which will require an alignment) I figured that
I would leave all of the work except for the brakes until I get the OME
shocks next month, and let them do it all in one fell swoop. I hated the
thought of having to do two alignments within a month (thereby negating any
labor $ savings of doing the control arm bushings myself)
Let me know if you have any other questions, Steve.
PS: I sent you a donation check yesterday for the VWSyncro.com URL fund.
:-)
Brent Christensen
'89 GL Syncro Westy "Klaus"
Santa Barbara, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Steven X. Schwenk
Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2000 10:15 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Front End Work (Corrected)
I want to replace upper and lower ball joints next weekend.
I also decided to replace the upper control arm bushings.
(i already have these parts). I now think I should replace
everything if i am going to have it this far apart. What
else should I do?
What about the bushing in the lower main swing arm or
whatever it's called...the one that pivots on the frame and
that the shock bolts to. Each one has a big
bushing where it boolts to the frame. I don't have a
press, so am i going to have to remove this arm anyway in
order to press
out the lower ball joints so i can take it to a shop?
As for the uppercontrol arm bushings, i understand these
have to be tack-welded. I assume to the control arm, which
is easy to remove. Is this right?
Should I do the front wheel bearings, too, or is that
significantly more work?
Any advice would be very weoclme.
