Date:         Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:34:37 -0500
Reply-To:     Ed McLean <email99@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ed McLean <email99@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject:      Re: Upper COntrol Arm Bushing '85 GL

Make sure you are very clear with your instructions on how you want the
bushings spot welded.

I took my upper control arms to a well respected local shop that specializes
in VW buses and asked them to spot weld the bushings with only one very
small weld on each bushing and immediately quench in water to remove the
heat.  When I returned there were four significant sized welds on each
bushing.  I seriously doubt they quenched in water to protect the rubber and
plastic parts.  This was particularly annoying because this was the second
time they tacked bushings in these control arms for me.  The first time
there were two fairly large welds and one of the bushings appeared to have
been damaged by heat.  After only 5k miles they were squeaking and they were
clunking at 12k miles.

BTW, You can easily remove the old welds with a file in just a few minutes
and then press out the old bushings.  This is much neater than using a
grinder.  Be careful to support the control arm when pressing in the new
bushings so you don't bend it.  When reinstalling the control arm, be sure
to shim any extra space between bushings and the attachment points on the
Vanagon and tighten the camber adjustment bolt with the springs loaded to
reduce stress on the bushings.

Ed McLean