Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2023 21:09:25 -0400
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Lower ball joint boot question
In-Reply-To: <CA+PsB=UqYuHV57mE7NR=YrTDZxMLr-_7acCkipLJ=TEL9BeWdQ@mail.gmail.com>
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Hi Ray,
Wow, so sad to hear about your van.
I keep trying to chase down any fuel smells and keep track of fuel line age.
Still a failed young injector last summer putting gas on my engine was pretty darn scary.
A friend with some experience says he has changed the boot in the past. He likes to keep the original parts when possible so when working well he tries to fix the boots. But, I’m not positive he has done a vanagon, he has done bay windows. The boot for the lower ball joint seems to be the same for bay window and vanagon.
If I can replace and clean and joint is good that is possibly something I can do. But Having someone do the pressing and such is something I’d have to find a shop for, and that means a new, questionable part and expense.
What source of ball joint would you folks recommend?
How can I test my existing one?
Boot was available from several venders. And Amazon, also Auto zone. Price was from about $4.00 to $10.00.
I did have the front up recently and wheels are both tight but rolling smoothly. Tires are wearing exceptionally nicely and van drives great.
Eric Caron
Eric Caron
> On Jun 26, 2023, at 8:43 PM, Ray Brubaker <rayandmerle@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Eric,
>
> You could change the boot if the joint had no play in it but good luck
> finding one. I had the same situation on my Syncro tin top about 15 or 20
> years ago and wanted to keep the joint because it was original and tight
> but couldn't find any. There's no hurry to change the joint. I think those
> joints were still on the van and still good when I lost it to an electrical
> fire, the starter stuck on, and that was at least 20,000+ miles with torn
> boots. Are you sure your joints are original?
>
> Ray Brubaker
> 86 Syncro, converted to TDI power, lost to electrical fire.
> 89 Blue Star, on the road
> 87 Weekender, waiting for restoration
>
> On Mon, Jun 26, 2023 at 5:07 PM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> Question on lower ball joint boot.
>>
>> My 84 has a ripped lower ball joint boot. I’m wondering if I can
>> replace it and try to save and just clean and re grease the lower ball
>> joint.
>>
>> Or, do I have to replace the ball joint?
>>
>> My thinking is I might be able to do the boot myself, but likely not the
>> lower joint. And, I’d like to keep the German ball joint rather than a
>> replacement.
>>
>> Thoughts on the idea of fixing the boot?
>>
>> And description of the job would be greatly appreciated.
>> For new listers, I’m blind so video’s or pictures don’t help. I need a
>> verbal description.
>>
>> Also, source for quality boots appreciated.
>>
>> I’m thinking I would replace both sides as the other is intact but I
>> suspect ready to fail.
>>
>> Eric Caron
>> 84 Vanagon.
>>
>>
>>
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