Date: Sun, 8 Dec 2019 14:50:55 -0500
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Preparing steering knuckles or spindles
In-Reply-To: <DM6PR10MB405969DEC5E386273F9EB2C5A0590@DM6PR10MB4059.namprd10.prod.outlook.com>
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HI Dennis and others,
Great info as always Dennis.
I’d love to have the knuckles as complete as possible before they go in for the brake upgrade. So If I can get them cleaned and painted next week or so I’ll do that. My local brake and suspension shop seems competent and they enjoy working on my vanagon and older well maintained vehicles. Lots of nice antique or just well maintained older vehicles coming and going from their parking lot.
Dennis or others, what would be the best ball joint source for the lower ball joint knuckle?
I’m sure the current one is very tired and used hard. Now would be the time to have it replaced.
Upper ball joints were replaced by Ken Wilford, of Vanagain, before I picked up the van in 2013. You can actually watch him change it in a youtube video. They have been working fine with my GW HD shocks.
I”m sure my efforts would be most efficient if I walk into the shop with a plan and the correct ball joint parts!
These tips are greatly appreciated, and I enjoy doing as much of the work as I can.
Appreciatively,
Eric Caron
85 GL Auto
> On Dec 8, 2019, at 2:28 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Some terms get used interchangeably. The spindle assembly or steering knuckle is the same. The Go Westy brake kit includes the rotors, calipers, hoses and pads. The hub kit adds the hubs, studs, bearings and seals. Ball joints are not included and normally not part of a brake upgrade. As you have an 85 and are replacing the spindles or knuckle with the later ones the ball joints will be affected.
>
> The lower ball joint takes a bit of effort, really needs a special tool to press out of the knuckle. The knuckle needs to have everything off it to do this.
>
> For the ball joints most aftermarket shocks including the Bilsteins are slightly longer that OEM and many ball joints especially the uppers do have enough articulation to take this when the suspension drops. I just went through this yesterday with Gabriel shocks. The Flennor almost makes it. The Febi was damaged instantly. The Meyle fits and works as it should with the wheels off the ground. So fat for upper ball joints the Meyle has been the most consistent. This is why upper ball joints tend to fail so often. The GoWesty ball joint spacers are a fix for the uppers. When doing ball joints with the shocks attached if you need jack up the lower arm to get the upper joint connected that is a problem.
>
> If you really want to pretty the arms up I have a bead blast cabinet here. I can blast and paint them before installing.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Eric Caron
> Sent: Sunday, December 8, 2019 1:28 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Preparing steering knuckles or spindles
>
> I listers,
>
> What is the difference between the steering knuckles and brake spindles?
>
> Anyway I have two of the late Vanagon spindles sitting in my shop. They still have the rotors and calipers on them.
>
> So, If I remove all the items what is the best way to prepare them for my forever van?
>
> I’m told they are cast iron. So sand blast and then what?
>
> Also, does anyone know if the ball joints are in the full big brake kit from GW? I want to do more good then harm in preparing them for a long life on my 85.
>
> Thanks for any tips.
>
> I”m now heading out to soak the bolts in PB blaster.
>
> Best,
>
> Eric Caron
> 85 GL Auto Westfalia
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