ball joint/arm/tie rod replacement question

In cleaning up my front end, I am replacing my torsion bar so it can be slightly lowered.

I could get the arms off the old one with a pickle fork, but that will probably booger up the boots, right? I don't have that special VW separating tool to do it - boots should be replaced anyway, right? (they look dried up).

While I am doing all this, it makes sense to redo the ball joints. To get new ball joints and get them pressed in can't be super cheap so would it be advisable to just replace them? I found some places that will take the old ones as core replacements. Would mine still be ok for trade in value if I went to town with a pickle fork?

My tie rods are rusty but look solid - I am sure they can be cleaned up. Is the general consensus to replace or keep them when overhauling a front end? How about that steering damper - does it go bad? Remco

Reply to
Remco
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I suggest you just forget about it and purchase a more reliable vehicle.

Reply to
fullopiss

Hey Remco - looka like you made a new freind ;-)

How dried are they ? I have read here that the aftermarket ones don't last long !

1st up, do they need replacing ? Mine didnt.

I bought a ball joint seperater (the good alternative to the pickle fork ! ) for 7GBP the type you turn the bolt to press the joint apart.

Surface rust is ok. I kept mine. Steering dampers can/do go bad. If its leaking or not stiff any more they're not expensive. Dont know about yours but mine is easy to replace even with the body back on so I left it for now.

Rich

Reply to
Tricky

Yeah, one that stood in the back of the line when the brains were handed out. :)

Dried, in that I can see little cracks when they are flexed a little. It is only a matter of time before they open up enough to let dirt in. I don't think dirt is getting in at the moment, though.

Really?! That is good news: I don't feel play or hear crunchy noises, but figured something critical like that, having been on the car for over 30 years, is just begging to be replaced. I'll clean it up and leave it alone.

I'll have to look for that too, then. With a picle fork it will definitely 'forck' up the boots. :)

It is more like slight pitting - more than surface rust. They feel solid, though. I'll take a wire wheel to them an see how clean they can be. POR15 does hide a multitude of sins :) I'll replace the damper - that one is definitely not stiff, looking at it further.

Thanks! Remco

Reply to
Remco

I'm a firm believer in replacing all wearing parts when you have the frontend (anything for that matter) apart. That's ball joints, tie rod

*ends*, bearings, bushings, shocks, dampener. Am I forgetting anything? Think of it this way: it's a LOT eaiser to do it now (if you can afford it) than pull everything back apart later. ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver"

I feel like I'm diagonally parked in a parallel universe.

Reply to
ThaDriver

Steering box ?

Do the brakes when you do the bearings ?

If you do the brakes, should you do the master cyliner too ?

How about the brake lines ?

I am doing all the bake parts except master cylinder, but I gave it a good look over 1st.

Rich

Reply to
Tricky

****** It's not a normal "wear" item, but you should check it for play & adjust it - replace if worn too much.
******* Brakes are *real* cheap; I'd have to be *really* broke (not uncommon) & they'd have to still be good (over 60%) to skip them when doing a frontend rebuild.
******** Not attached to the frontend - replace if needed.
********** Inspect steel lines for damage, replace brake hoses.

good look over 1st.Rich

******** Sounds good to me. :-) ~ Paul aka "Tha Driver"

Bush is on a tour of the east; he's visiting American jobs...(my best friend's included).

Reply to
ThaDriver

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