Date: Sun, 6 Jan 2013 21:38:15 -0500
Reply-To: Peter Krogh <peter@PETERKROGH.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Peter Krogh <peter@PETERKROGH.COM>
Subject: Urgency of Upper Control Arm Bushing replacement?
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Okay, so question 1 was answered - T3 lugs it is.
But #2 is also an important question. The Upper Control Arm (A Arm) has loose bushings that are thunking over bumps. An examination shows pretty deteriorated bushings on the A as well as upper ball joints that have cracked rubber boots/bushings.
I looked online and saw one narrative of control arm removal that indicated removal of the bolt to several hours of frustrtating knuckle-banging. It also appears that I need to be able to weld the new bushing to the arm. (Which means take the arm to shop, I assume). All this makes the repair less attractive to do right away.
Here's the link I saw:
http://www.vanagonauts.com/Upper-Control-Arm-Bushing-R&R223.htm
I'm wondering what the real ramifications are of driving with a thunky bushing. Am I in danger of putting excessive wear on an expensive part (like the A arm)if I put the repair off a few months? Any safety concerns? I assume loose steering is at least somewhat of an issue.
Also, any recommendations on needed parts for the repair? Does the long bolt generally need replacement? I assume the washers need replacement. I also assume it makes sense to replace the ball joint while the thing is apart. I'm assuming that I'll just buy the parts from Van Cafe and try to do this myself, with the help of my mechanic to press in and weld the bushing.
Peter
>
> Also, I've got a bit of a thunk in the front suspension. When I pulled =
> the wheel, I can definitely feel play in what I think is the front =
> bushing of the upper control arm (that wishbone-shaped piece that =
> attaches around the to of the shock). For the record, I did have some =
> of the front suspension bushings replaced, but not this one.
>
> I assume that means that this should be replaces ASAP. Anyone care to =
> comment on the safety/PIA factor of this job?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Peter=
Peter Krogh
Author, The DAM Book, Digital Asset Management for Photographers
Second Edition May, 2009
www.theDAMbook.com