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Date:         Mon, 18 Nov 2002 09:25:44 -0700
Reply-To:     Gary Shea <shea@GTSDESIGN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gary Shea <shea@GTSDESIGN.COM>
Subject:      Re: New Ball Joints feel like I am driving on ice.
Comments: To: James Wetzel <jwetzel@EPHARMALEARNING.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <LOELLFFBJFCBAMGCDHFMAEDICFAA.jwetzel@epharmalearning.com>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

[2002-11-18 05:25 -0500] James Wetzel (jwetzel@EPHARMALEARNING.COM) wrote: > Dear List, > > Just finished putting on a new set of ball joints from the Bus Depot ($50.00 > for the pair) on my 84 Westy. The van now feels like I am driving on ice. > The front end is very squirrelly. At speeds over 55 , I can hardly control > the van. If I hit a large bump, the whole van feels like I have lost > steering control for a second. > > > I am wondering if anyone knows the answer to the following: > > Are these ball joints of inferior quality and if so, is there a brand/vendor > that is better? > Did I install them improperly to cause this? > Did I do some type of damage to the lower joints and/or tie rods? > What the heck would cause this? > Will it get better over time? > > There is one post in the archives that leads me to believe the ball joints > are just crap and should be replaced with better ones. > > > Thanks, > Jim W.

I replaced all of the ball joints in my van with Bus Depot joints a couple-three years ago. I can't say for sure that they are the same ones you have, but to the credit of the Bus Depot, the van felt much more solid afterwards.

Just a data point.

Sounds like you replaced the uppers (only?)... I think it unlikely that you damaged anything else severely enough to cause the immediate problems you're describing, I'd be more worried about whether something went wrong during re-assembly. The 'large bump' scenario sounds scary as hell! It's been too long since I pulled it apart, I can't remember what has to come apart in order to remove the upper ball joints, but my guess is that something didn't go back together right!

Gary


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