----- Original Message -----

From: BRENT CHRISTENSEN

To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2000 = 12:39 PM

Subject: Re: upper control = arm

This squeaking has been driving me nuts for a year = now too.  I just received all the goodies from Bus Depot necessary to = replace all the front end bushings, ball joints, etc.

My plan is to replace both upper and lower bushings, = ball joints, and do a complete brake job, including new rotors, caliper = rebuild, pads, and wheel bearings.

Cost for all the parts (Syncro): ~$500.00 =

Let me know if you want part numbers

Brent Christensen
Manager = Strategic Programs
InfoGenesis
www.infogenesis.com
(805) 681-8600 = xt. 414

-----Original Message-----
From: Karl M [mailto:thewestyman@MINDSPRING.= COM]
Sent: Thursday, March 09, 2000 11:08 AM =
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: upper control arm

Don't overlook the balljoint itself as the source of = the squeak, especially
if the boot is, or has = been, torn/cracked. I've seen quite a few balljoints
squeak/creak in my 20 years of Vw repair. The best way to rid = the squeak for
good, is to replace the balljoint = AND the bushings at the same time (unless
of course = the bushings were done recently and correctly). Still less than =
the junkyard arm at $75 or so.

Karl von Müllendorf
WestyVentures
1987 Syncro Westfalia = 1.9 TD 'Otto'
1988 Audi 80 Quattro 'Car' =

----- Original Message -----

> Ken,
> =
> Your upper control arm bushings are causing the squeak, = without a
> doubt.  They look fine, work = fine, and are fine, except for the squeak.
> What = happens is that the bond between the rubber bushing and its inner
> and outer metal sleeves breaks over time and that is the squeak = you
> hear, rubber rubbing on metal.  The metal = outer and inner sleeves are
> held in place by a = spot weld the UC arm and the through bolt
> = respectively, and the rubber is supposed to flex and absorb shock and
> noise.  It still does this task, but noisily as the = bond breaks and
> slippage also occurs. =
>
> Replace your bushings and = the squeak will be gone!  (Do a front end
> = alignment afterward too.)
>
> Ken Hunter wrote:
> >
> > I have the same problem and my bushings check out OK per Bentley. = My
upper
> > = boots were torn  but the joints were good so I found some boots that
would
> > fit.. = they failed within 2 months. A couple of months ago there was a
thread
> > on this = topic.
> > For a Synchro there is a clearance shown = in Bentley determined by the
> > thickness of the = eccentric adjuster washers. I was told that these
different
> > thickness = washers applied to the non-Synchro's also (although not shown
to be
> > so in Bentley). When I had the = upper arms off I greased everything and
> > = torqued them back to 50ftlbs.with the car on the ground. Still squeaked, =
> > still looking for a solution.