Date:         Wed, 18 Nov 1998 10:26:28 -0700
Reply-To:     Gary Shea <shea@GTSDESIGN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Gary Shea <shea@GTSDESIGN.COM>
Subject:      Re: Upper Ball Joint Test for Condition?
Comments: To: "Thomas D. Hanlon" <hanran.inc@INTERNETMCI.COM>
Comments: cc: vanagon@VANAGON.COM
In-Reply-To:  <3652FCC8.FDD10EA3@internetMCI.com>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Wed, 18 Nov 1998, Thomas D. Hanlon wrote:
> Listees,
>
> What is the do it yourselfer's "Eye-ball" test to determine if the upper
> ball joint is in need of replacement, as suggested by my alignment man?
> He is unable to bring the front alignment to specs and he says that the
> Westy needs upper ball joint replacement.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Tom Hanlon
> Palm Springs, CA
> 84 Westfalia

Let's see if I can recall how I did it.  I jacked the van up,
I think by the a-frame, far enough to get the tire a few inches
off the ground.  To see if the lower ball joint was ok
I then took a big pry bar (like 6' long big), put a block
of wood a foot or two from the tire, and used the block as
a fulcrum to lift the tire.  My recollection is that as the
tire is lifted, one can see the lower ball joint move...

Now on the upper ball joint my memory is not so clear.  I seem
to remember having a screwdriver jammed into the coil spring
and levering down on the tire, but I can't really remember.
I do remember it took two people when I did it.

Well, how's that for a long non-answer of your question!?

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Gary Shea                                       shea@xmission.com
Salt Lake City                      http://www.xmission.com/~shea