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Date:         Mon, 28 May 2018 20:56:42 -0700
Reply-To:     Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Install grease fitting on upper control arm bushing(s)
Comments: To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <MWHPR20MB1551A4D3DAA6EBD74EF68317A06F0@MWHPR20MB1551.namprd20.prod.outlook.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

Thats quite interesting regarding fateners at uca and ubj.

Well, Im sure the bottom line is that its time to upgrade those bushings. Not sure if its just the local wind conditions today but the van is now handling a little worse in cross winds. eg im getting "buffeted" around more wirh increased "white knuckle'ing" reaction. Ill be very curious to see if theres any play yet between each uca an its bushings.

Neil, battling bugs in Midway BC.

On Sunday, May 27, 2018, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:

> Theses bushing have been a problem even from Vanagon day one. The earliest > Vanagons used hex head bolts to attach the UCA to the ball joint. At some > point these were upgraded to the P.C. 12.9 Allen sockets with instructions > to use Loctite. When the bushings would bind the stresses caused the hex > heads to loosen and break. If the bushings didn’t bind and you had a good > press fit there would not be a need to tack weld them to the arm. Yes, with > the arm separated at the ball joint you will know if they are bad or not. > > > > Dennis > > > > > > *From:* Neil N [mailto:musomuso@gmail.com] > *Sent:* Sunday, May 27, 2018 1:10 PM > *To:* Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> > *Cc:* vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > *Subject:* Install grease fitting on upper control arm bushing(s) > > > > > With the arm freed from the upper ball joint, if the bushing is failing or > failed, can that "notchy" feel be felt by hand when moving the arm up and > down? > > ....... > > None of the UCA bushings ive ever held in my hand have looked or felt > overly robust but then i have no real base line; ive never felt or seen the > factory installed part. I think one cause of premature wear on these > bushings is folks like me who drive over some fairly relatively challenging > dirt road to get to free or cheap camp spots. Im quite certain that some > after market bushings are not up to that task or at least a more extreme > range of arm movement etc. > > ....... > >

-- Neil n

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