Date: Wed, 11 May 2011 19:03:51 -0400
Reply-To: John Meeks <vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John Meeks <vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Front end suspension
In-Reply-To: <0c4d01cc1029$93825ec0$6401a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Jeff,
Here's my writeup on the upper control arm bushes.
http://www.vanagonauts.com/Upper-Control-Arm-Bushing-R&R223.htm
I did this about 4 yrs ago using Meyle bushings. I just re-did them using T3
Technique (Loogy on theSamba) polyuretane.. Those bushings are sweet!! They
are a 3 piece deal with stainless sleeves. You can dissemble them to re-lube
if you need to. Nice!
I didn't tack my Meyles and they appear to have not moved in the 4 years.
The fit is really tight and you will have to press the old ones out of te
arm. Once the arms are off, you can find a shop with a press. Good time to
paint t arms too.
I agree with Scott. the long bolts don't seem to wear much. Same for the
eccentric washers.The only reason to replace them is if they are so rusted
in place that you have to cut them to get them out.
Do use a good waterproof grease and pack it into the bolt tube when you
re-assemble. The motorcycle guys use Bel-Rey.and the Boat guys use Corrosion
Block blue grease. Good anti washout properties.
John Meeks
'91 Vanagon MV
Northern Michigan
Vanagon Rescue Squad
www.vanagonauts.com
On Wed, May 11, 2011 at 6:19 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <
scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
> that is high for upper ball joints and upper a-arm bushings..
> might include alignment .
> and probably roughly the price you will get anywhere.
>
> Don't think about lower ball joints unless you really need them.
> it's a trick job. See Bentley on that. Not a casual job at all.
>
> upper BJ's are not too hard if things are not badly stuck.
> upper a-arm bushings are not too bad..
> see bently on that job. There are some tack welds to grind off, and to
> re-tack weld...but you could take the arms to any welder and it's such a
> small job they might not even charge you. Just seconds to quickly tach
> weld
> them in place.
>
> the long upper a-arm bolts.
> All the ones I have ever seen were fine.
> It's a very special bolt. I suppose they might be avialible in the
> aftermarket somewhere.
> But I've never needed new ones.
>
> just start on one side and see how it goes.
> measure you camber first with a level before taking it apart..
> van sitting on the ground and suspension loaded.
> ditto for toe-in ....changing those parts won't affect toe .
> but it's a good , and easy thing to check.
>
> scott
> www.turbovans.com
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jeff Lincoln" <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2011 1:08 PM
> Subject: Front end suspension
>
>
> So I finally got a new tire and I took Gertie ('85 1.9) in to have an
>> allignment done. They couldn't do it - said I need upper control arm
>> bushings and upper ball joints. The shops price parts and labor was almost
>> $800 - not saying that isn't fair (I'd bet it is) but I can't swing that.
>>
>> I sourced the parts and included lower ball joints and tie rod ends for
>> less
>> than $200 from our vendors. So the question is having never done this work
>> myself, what does the esteemed list say for a project like this as a DIY
>> project? Should I even try it? I could find myself some experienced help
>> too.
>>
>> I know those upper control arm bushings need to be spot welded - that I'd
>> need someone else for anyway.
>>
>> What other pit falls or hassles am I looking at?
>>
>> The guy at the shop said I might consider replacing the long mounting bots
>> as well. What are your thoughts on that? Anyone have a part number or a
>> source for those?
>>
>> --
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Jeff
>> '85 GL (Gertie)
>> '90 Carat (Grover - the noble parts donor)
>> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus
>>
>
