Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (January 2007, week 4)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Fri, 26 Jan 2007 19:37:28 +0000
Reply-To:     dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Ball joints, upper / lower
Comments: To: "Mike \"Rocket J Squirrel\" Elliott" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <45BA538F.9060904@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Uppers usually fail due to t boots failing first. Lowers fail due to them carrying the weight of the van. The lowers should be inspected for boot condition, weight taken off them and then a big pair of groove lock pliers, 9channel Locks) can be used to compress them and check for play. If the play is noticeable, time for new. If OK, leave them. The original ball joints are often good for 100to200k miles. The replacements will not last near as long. While checking to front end, check the bushings at the front of the strut bars. They are more responsible for un even tire wear and poor handling than most other parts. They control the caster angle. They may even look OK but if they are distorted at all, replace them.

Dennis

----- Original Message ----- From: "Mike \"Rocket J Squirrel\" Elliott" Date: Friday, January 26, 2007 2:24 pm Subject: Ball joints, upper / lower To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

> Mm-kay, I know I have to get Mellow Yellow's upper ball joints > replacedon account of the clear wear on the tires that I > described a couple > weeks ago. Visual inspection revealed the joints are pretty gone. > > This kind of work I farm out to my local and trusty mechanic in > Encinitas, CA, Charlies Foreign Car. I hear the upper joints are not > particularly difficult to replace, so I reckon I'm not looking > at a big > bill for those. But I also hear that if the uppers are gone, the > lowersmay not be far behind, and they appear to be more > difficult. Charlie's > quotes $525 a side to do both. Kinda pricey. > > I'd like to hear from others about the "better do the lowers if the > uppers are shot" recommendation. > > -- > > Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott > 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus > 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana") > 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano > KG6RCR >


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.