Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2013 16:33:37 +1000
Reply-To: Dan Andrews <devilish.dan@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dan Andrews <devilish.dan@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Undoing the big nut on the upper ball joint - who knows how?
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Hi All,
For some time now, I’ve been noticing a click-click-click noise when I drive
my 1982 T3.
It’s usually only noticeable when I’m coasting, and gets louder as I
decelerate harder.
It’s clearly a rotational noise, and slows as the vehicle speed does.
This being my first ‘car’ (I’ve always owned bikes), I have a lot of
trouble hearing where things are coming from – however after a few months of
indecision I decided that it’s the front left wheel bearing, because:
(i) It sounds like that’s where it’s coming from;
(ii) It makes sense that the left hand side cops all of the
punishment (we drive on the left hand side of the road);
(iii) As I decelerate, the load moves towards the front of the
vehicle – it makes sense that the clicking would start/get louder then;
(iv) I don’t believe I would hear it if it was coming from the
rear of the vehicle.
When I jack up the vehicle and rotate the hub, I can’t notice any
click/rough spot/defect – however I consider that this is simply because I’m
not replicating the load conditions – no weight, no speed.
I purchased a Febi bearing kit, and got ready to go to work (learn by
doing).
Sadly, I didn’t get far.
The Haynes manual advises that I should remove the big nut which attaches
the upper ball joint to the steering knuckle, so that the brake house
retaining bracket will be free to move when I remove the brake calliper.
I can get a socket onto this giant nut, but then can’t get a break
bar/ratchet onto the socket.
Noting that the short length of metal brake pipe is bent into a semi-circle,
I thought I might be able to slide an extender bar in from underneath (and
thread it through the semi-circle). I tried three different length of ½”
drive extender bar with no luck…
I also thought of using a ring spanner, however after I’ve changed the
bearing I’m going to have to torque it back up to 160ft/lbs – and I really
don’t want to have to guess that amount of torque with a ring spanner.
I know it can’t be as hard as I’m making it – I simply don’t have the
necessary experience (or perhaps the right manual).
I thought I should ask the list for help.
(Thank you)
-Dan