Date:         Tue, 3 Nov 2020 18:55:05 -0800
Reply-To:     Jim Arnott <jrasite@EONI.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Arnott <jrasite@EONI.COM>
Subject:      Re: Refresh my memory about inner tie rods someone! Parts quality.
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From Christopher at T3Technique <reply to: christopher@t3technique.com>


Not that the original question was about upper ball joints, but since =
Dennis brought it up, I will chime in.

I agree with Dennis's assessment of the current line of upper ball =
joints. As a result I am already headed down the path of having custom =

upper ball joints made. I should have the samples/prototypes in hand in =
about a month. Assuming all is on track, the production run should be =
available sometime around the first of the year.

My upper ball joints will: Have 2 degrees more articulation than a Moog =
joint, be greaseable, have a durable boot, and will come with a lifetime =
warranty. The joints will be available in two different configurations. =
One is the upgraded version of the stock joint as described above. The =

other is the same basic joint, except that it is taller than the stock =

joint. This moves the pivot point of the joint upward to help compensate =
for the geometry mess that occurs when lifting a Vanagon (especially a =

2wd). Handling will be improved and bump steer will be reduced. The main =
benefit over simply installing upper ball joint spacers is the =
improvement in both the static and dynamic geometry of the front =
suspension. Upper ball joint spacers effectively make the upper control =
arm appear longer which helps get the static camber in check. But since =
the pivot point of the upper ball joint does not change, the dynamic =
geometry (mainly the camber curve and the toe changes) doesn't change =
much. The taller ball joints with their raised pivot point will help =
correct that issue.=20

Better outer tie rod ends and better lower ball joints will be following =
in the future, all with the same quality features as the upper ball =
joints. The investment it took to get the upper ball joint program off =

the ground means that the other joints will have to wait just a bit =
longer.=20

Anyway, I thought you guys might be interested in that since the subject =
came up.=20

Thanks,
Christopher
T3 Technique