Date: Sun, 9 Aug 2015 10:14:35 -0400
Reply-To: T Collins <tonycollin@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: T Collins <tonycollin@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Needed one steel wheel and some advice.
In-Reply-To: <BAY405-EAS35CAA0481F33F6051A3361A0710@phx.gbl>
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Hi Dennis,
The upper control arm bushings on the passenger side are trully FUBAR. by
just turning the wheel and pushing pulling on the wheel you van see the
play in them in and out the center line of the body. I have been a bad
owner and never done any suspension work on this van the 7 years I've had
it. A tell tell sign these bushings have been bad should have been the
sound of pirate ship timbers coming from under the van on that side.
The mechanic checking the vanagon is an old porsche/vw guy who called the
van a pickle. He just mentioned the passenger side be done. I just worry
the drivers side will soon go too
thanks,
t.
On Sun, Aug 9, 2015 at 9:53 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
wrote:
> While it often seems to make sense to do an all-out replacement of
> suspension parts the upper control arm bushings seem to have failure rates
> all over the place. I have had some fail after just a few hundred miles.
> That said the best way to inspect them is to remove the two screws holding
> them to the upper ball joint and test them. Check that the arm moves
> smoothly with no play, binding, or squeaking. If they are good leave them.
> If bad replace.
>
> Besides the usual suspension parts you do want check the radius rod and
> lower control arm mounts. If you don't remember when the radius rod mounts
> were last done they likely should be done. Look carefully for signs of
> bulging, cracking, collapsing, and changing position. If you look at the
> chassis mount and see wear from where they used to be they are shot. If
> really bad don't be surprised if the chassis requires a welding repair to
> restore the mounting hole.
>
> For all the soft parts consider the products sold by T3echnique. Great
> stuff. Chris also is great about warranty. Yes even his stuff can fail.
>
> As for used wheels inspect carefully. Wheels are wear items, especially at
> the lug nut-bolt connections. I have seen them so warn they couldn't be
> tightened up.
>
> As for tires if going for a set (you probably should) consider going for
> the
> 205/70-14 with the extra load rating.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Tony Collins
> Sent: Sunday, August 9, 2015 12:02 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Needed one steel wheel and some advice.
>
> Hello list,
>
> Some of you may remember me asking questions about registration and
> inspections in Pennsylvania. As part of this process, I have uncovered a
> need for tires (no not a tire thread!!!). I will be buying good tires from
> list vendor.
>
> A rim with a bit of a bend has also been unveiled along with a passenger
> side upper control bushings that have seen better days and a possible bad
> upper ball joint.
>
> I like to replace the bad rim. Both front tires have wear indicative of
> negative camber. The inner sides are pretty worn down. The drivers side
> tire
> always had to be refilled. If someone has one kicking around the
> Philly-north Delaware area could you pm me about it?
>
> Now to the advice needed. Given that the passenger side UCB's need to be
> replaced would it not make sense to do the drivers side to, along with the
> ball joints to? Now, should I be thinking that radius arm bushing along
> with
> lower arm bushing also need to get a replacement?
>
> A little job is turning into a bigger one. I have new shocks to that I
> haven't replaced. Should this be the time for them to get in there??
>
> I don't want to shell out money on tires and the UCB's r/r to then find out
> that something else is causing the inner wear of the front tires. I can
> only
> guess that an alignment will be useless if some other components are off.
>
> What would you do if faced with this and why?
>
> Keep in mind not having the money to buy Chris T3 state of the are
> powerflex
> bushings.
>
> Let me know what you think.
>
> Thanks,
> T
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPod
>
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