Date:         Fri, 19 Mar 1999 14:27:29 -0700
Reply-To:     "Richard A. Jones" <jones@ANOMIE.COLORADO.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Richard A. Jones" <jones@ANOMIE.COLORADO.EDU>
Subject:      Re: stabilizer links
Comments: To: kfagan@temnet.nf.ca
Comments: cc: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Keith:

I thought there might be something in the archives about stabilizer
links but didn't find anything with a quick check.  You might
search further.

Anyway, a year or two ago there was a lot of stuff on the web about
stabilizer links breaking.  They do.  Someone stated it was the
stress at the right-angle corner where the machining stops.  I
know mine (all 4 four of them over several years) broke there.
My current mechanic and I talked to a local engineering firm--
one man, into racing--who suggested welding a hard bolt onto the
end--the head cut off the bolt, of course.  I had him make two
for me--one for each side--since I had two broken remains.  We
only installed one--driver's side, which broke 3 to 1 on the
passenger side.  That's been 2+ years and the other hasn't broken
yet, but when it does, I'm ready!

I have intended to take a photo of the welded link and put it
on my web page, but haven't remembered to do so....

I paid $25 (per link) for this guy to weld the bolt shaft on--
including the bolt.  ;-)  BTW--mine's an '81 and I have to admit
to some jeep-roading in the mtns when it was younger....

                                Richard A. Jones
                                University of Colorado at Boulder