Ball Joint Going?
- vwlover77
- IAC Addict!
- Location: North Canton, Ohio
- Status: Offline
Ball Joint Going?
There is an intersection with a high crown near my house. At the "launch" point of crossing it, I hear a mild "clunk" from the front suspension, which seems to come from the passenger side. I always assumed it was the torsion arm hitting the bump stop, but tonight I crawled under and examined the ball joint boots.
The passenger side upper joint boot has torn partly away at the bottom and grease is coming out.
Is it likely this joint is the sound of the "clunk"?
Steering and ride seems fine otherwise....
The passenger side upper joint boot has torn partly away at the bottom and grease is coming out.
Is it likely this joint is the sound of the "clunk"?
Steering and ride seems fine otherwise....
Don
---------------------------
78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
---------------------------
78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Re: Ball Joint Going?
Potholes and other rapid down movements are the usual triggers for a ball joint clonk. Shock absorber bushings can squirt out of the shock eye and give you an acceptable appearance when in fact there is metal to metal contact between the stud and the shock.vwlover77 wrote:There is an intersection with a high crown near my house. At the "launch" point of crossing it, I hear a mild "clunk" from the front suspension, which seems to come from the passenger side. I always assumed it was the torsion arm hitting the bump stop, but tonight I crawled under and examined the ball joint boots.
The passenger side upper joint boot has torn partly away at the bottom and grease is coming out.
Is it likely this joint is the sound of the "clunk"?
Steering and ride seems fine otherwise....
I lived happily with ball joint clonks for a couple of decades before I replaced the ball joints to forever ruin the feel of the car. I did keep a grease "plug" between the environment and the ball joint'w working surfaces. The Bentley procedure is the only way to truly test ball joint wear, there is a lot of preload between the torsion arms.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
- vwlover77
- IAC Addict!
- Location: North Canton, Ohio
- Status: Offline
The crown on this intersection definitely results in a rapid down movement of the wheel!
So, it sounds like it could be a good long while until this becomes a safety issue. True?
What is the best way to protect the joint with the boot torn? I think the good news is that the tear is on the bottom, and facing the rear of the Bus. Hopefully that means that water will not be driven into the joint by driving in the rain, and what water does enter can drain out.
Is it worth trying to install a zerk fitting on the top of the joint to allow the grease to be purged occasionally?
So, it sounds like it could be a good long while until this becomes a safety issue. True?
What is the best way to protect the joint with the boot torn? I think the good news is that the tear is on the bottom, and facing the rear of the Bus. Hopefully that means that water will not be driven into the joint by driving in the rain, and what water does enter can drain out.
Is it worth trying to install a zerk fitting on the top of the joint to allow the grease to be purged occasionally?
Don
---------------------------
78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
---------------------------
78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
- ruckman101
- Lord God King Bwana
- Location: Up next to a volcano.
- Contact:
- Status: Offline
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Yep. That's what I wouldcouldashoulda done in 1980.vwlover77 wrote:Is it worth trying to install a zerk fitting on the top of the joint to allow the grease to be purged occasionally?
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
- vwlover77
- IAC Addict!
- Location: North Canton, Ohio
- Status: Offline
- Manfred
- Old School!
- Location: Chicago
- Status: Offline
Did this work? I have a torn boot on my upper ball joint passenger side. I was planning on replacing my ball joints until I just learned what a labor intensive job it is. Nothing seems to be wrong with them. I'm not getting any noise at all, but the torn boot has me concerned.vwlover77 wrote:The grease is smeared over the hole and I'll put the zerk fitting install on my to-do list.
Thanks!
1978 Westy FI
hambone wrote:Some times ya gotta wing it.
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
Glob the interior of the boot to the hole-opening with grease as you decide your course of action. Be tidy.Manfred wrote: Nothing seems to be wrong with them. I'm not getting any noise at all, but the torn boot has me concerned.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
- vwlover77
- IAC Addict!
- Location: North Canton, Ohio
- Status: Offline
OK, I put a zerk on my ball joint today, but I have a sinking feeling that I did something really wrong.
I expected that when I got through the cap , I would feel it. But I didn't, and I kept drilling thinking that the cap must actually be a solid metal plug. I drilled deep enough to tap the resulting hole and install a zerk fitting, which threaded in until it was flush with the cap.
I was able to pump grease into the joint and purge out grease through the torn boot.
But I'm wondering now what exactly I've drilled and tapped into. I don't think it could be the ball itself, as that has to be hardened steel that my bit would not have cut into very easily. I had no trouble with the drilling.
Is the "cap" actually a "plug", or have I drilled into a ball "seat"? There was no drama when I put the wheel back on and lowered the jack, and no drama turning the steering wheel. But I haven't driven the Bus yet.
Have I ruined the joint?
I expected that when I got through the cap , I would feel it. But I didn't, and I kept drilling thinking that the cap must actually be a solid metal plug. I drilled deep enough to tap the resulting hole and install a zerk fitting, which threaded in until it was flush with the cap.
I was able to pump grease into the joint and purge out grease through the torn boot.
But I'm wondering now what exactly I've drilled and tapped into. I don't think it could be the ball itself, as that has to be hardened steel that my bit would not have cut into very easily. I had no trouble with the drilling.
Is the "cap" actually a "plug", or have I drilled into a ball "seat"? There was no drama when I put the wheel back on and lowered the jack, and no drama turning the steering wheel. But I haven't driven the Bus yet.
Have I ruined the joint?
Don
---------------------------
78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
---------------------------
78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
- Amskeptic
- IAC "Help Desk"
- Status: Offline
You hit the plastic socket, the equivalent to cartilage in your hip. Even if you dimple the ball with a drill, it is no big deal. Did you use 6mm zerks?vwlover77 wrote:OK, I put a zerk on my ball joint today, but I have a sinking feeling that I did something really wrong.
I expected that when I got through the cap , I would feel it. But I didn't, and I kept drilling thinking that the cap must actually be a solid metal plug. I drilled deep enough to tap the resulting hole and install a zerk fitting, which threaded in until it was flush with the cap.
I was able to pump grease into the joint and purge out grease through the torn boot.
But I'm wondering now what exactly I've drilled and tapped into. I don't think it could be the ball itself, as that has to be hardened steel that my bit would not have cut into very easily. I had no trouble with the drilling.
Is the "cap" actually a "plug", or have I drilled into a ball "seat"? There was no drama when I put the wheel back on and lowered the jack, and no drama turning the steering wheel. But I haven't driven the Bus yet.
Have I ruined the joint?
I am going to do the BobD before it gets worn out. I want those original ball joints to last, yes I do.
Colin
BobD - 78 Bus . . . 112,730 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
Chloe - 70 bus . . . 217,593 miles
Naranja - 77 Westy . . . 142,970 miles
Pluck - 1973 Squareback . . . . . . 55,600 miles
Alexus - 91 Lexus LS400 . . . 96,675 miles
- vwlover77
- IAC Addict!
- Location: North Canton, Ohio
- Status: Offline
That's a relief. When I looked in the hole after drilling, it appeared that everything I had cut was steel. The chips indicated that as well.
I'm wondering if the socket is mild steel instead of plastic? I found this photo on that "other site" that may support that conclusion.
I used 8mm x 5/8" overall length zerks that I picked up at the local NAPA.
I drove the car yesterday and it seems perfectly fine.
I'm wondering if the socket is mild steel instead of plastic? I found this photo on that "other site" that may support that conclusion.
I used 8mm x 5/8" overall length zerks that I picked up at the local NAPA.
I drove the car yesterday and it seems perfectly fine.
Don
---------------------------
78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
---------------------------
78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
- Westy78
- IAC Addict!
- Location: Stumptown OR
- Status: Offline
- hambone
- Post-Industrial Non-Secular Mennonite
- Location: Portland, Ore.
- Status: Offline
Why didn't they come with zircs already installed? Seems like a maintenance point. Too late to worry I guess.
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http://pdxvolksfolks.blogspot.com
it balances on your head just like a mattress balances on a bottle of wine
your brand new leopard skin pillbox hat
- vwlover77
- IAC Addict!
- Location: North Canton, Ohio
- Status: Offline
I've installed the zerk on top of the joint. There's an indentation on the cap right in the center that I drilled into.
The early joints had a plastic plug that could be removed to thread in a zerk fitting. The later joints eliminated this.
The joints are supposed to be lubed for life, but if the rubber boot tears, there is a problem. That's what happened to mine. I don't think you'd want to install the zerk unless the boot is torn. Otherwise, there is nowhere for the purged grease to go.
The zerks I bought had M8x1 threads, so I tapped the hole accordingly.
The early joints had a plastic plug that could be removed to thread in a zerk fitting. The later joints eliminated this.
The joints are supposed to be lubed for life, but if the rubber boot tears, there is a problem. That's what happened to mine. I don't think you'd want to install the zerk unless the boot is torn. Otherwise, there is nowhere for the purged grease to go.
The zerks I bought had M8x1 threads, so I tapped the hole accordingly.
Don
---------------------------
78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen
---------------------------
78 Westy
71 Super Beetle Convertible Autostick
"When we let our compassion go, we let go of whatever claim we have to the divine." - Bruce Springsteen