“See, this engine is not running too hot.” he confirms. A lady drives slowly past us wondering WTF.
This was my trillionth time with Colin and we had two high priority tasks. Replace ball joint boots and figure out why my oil temperate was freaking me out at 260F levels.
![Image](http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac186/BellePlaine/Volkswagen%20Forum/IMG_0444_zpsc9ro4zah.jpg)
I found a source for really good ball joint boots in the Netherlands. For some NOS parts, I recommend checking out BusOK. I ordered these Meyle boots and they sent three Meyle and one with a VW/Audi logo, which I had ready for my appointment with Colin. They are for sale here: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/ ... id=1430760
We proceeded to dissemble the front wheel hubs by removing the wheels, calipers, tie-rods, and steering knuckle assembly. I learned how the eccentric is a steel conical bushing with an off-set hole. It’s purpose is to adjust camber(?) Prior to removal we made a punch mark where it lived in the knuckle so we could set it back to same position and enjoy long tire tread life. Actually we were only able to remove the passenger side eccentric, the drivers side won’t budge so we punted and tried slipping the new ball joint boot over it. It worked!
![Image](http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac186/BellePlaine/Volkswagen%20Forum/IMG_0442_zpspi2aox40.jpg)
These ball joints are original yet pimped out with grease zerks from a prior visit with Colin. The old grease was “watery” because I used a different kind of grease then what was already being used. Mixing different types does something to the viscosity. So we flushed out the old grease with fresh Valvoline DuraBlend making sure to build a “grease dam” inside the joint.
We learned a new trick to install the retaining rings by starting at one end and wrapping/rotating the spring around the boot as opposed to trying to slide the whole thing over the boot at the same time.
Ball Joint Boot Porn
![Image](http://i898.photobucket.com/albums/ac186/BellePlaine/Volkswagen%20Forum/IMG_0488_zps6yha139h.jpg)
We buttoned up the front end and then went for a highway drive at 70/75 MPH looking for hills to climb. After about 20 minutes, my VDO oil temperature gauge hit 260F. We pulled off into a rest stop and got out our laser thermometers. Colin showed me a section of diagonal engine case just inward of the oil filter which is reportedly a reliable location for taking readings. We were about 217F. We took the temperature of the valve covers, headers, oil strainer cover, and then we hogged a loogie. It all checked out. Stupid gauge.
Ok, let me pause here. Brady and my wife are calling me to hurry up because today is the day we are picking up a new puppy. A Boston Terrier we are naming “Wilco”. Cheers for now.
Chris