Ball joint dust cover (front suspension arm)

[Nicola&Tony]

We've had an mot advisory about this dust cover being deteriorated. I don't really know much about the suspension system so I'm trying to work out where this cover is! Is it number 7 in this drawing (bottom right)?



Cheers

Tony

[phil miller]

number 7 is the ball joint itself, at one time you could replace just the boot but not anymore, replace the ball joint and all is well

[nevill3]

Mine failed on the same thing this year, the tester said that it is now part of the new MOt tests that the boot should be in good condition. I had to replace both front ball joints.

[Ian Hulley]

Hiya Tony, make sure your's has this later type of suspension you show, your's is change-over period ... I remember it definately has the early cooling system.

Ian

[billy739]

lots of companies now doing the boots as they are now part of the mot.

boots and balljoints seem to be of varying quality with the rubber perishing /spliting within 12 months sometimes!

[DavidPallister]

I can vouch for varying quality, had to replace the arb drop link on my mundano a few years back for the MOT, came to change the oil 5 months later, took off wheel, both drop link rubbers split all round, and the link itself snapped.

I bought a genuine one after that, cost 4 times as much tho, so you can see why people go for the cheap parts.

Dave

[CovKid]

http://www.balljointboots.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; - just one source but loads out there. If its been split a long time or the joint shows any sign of wear, then replace whole thing - otherwise clean and regrease joint and fit a new boot. You still have to pop joint off ofcourse.

You'll always get someone who says "I always fit a new balljoint" and thats up to them but sometimes it just isn't necessary.

[Nicola&Tony]

Thanks very much for all the info and the website link, it's much appreciated

If I get chance this wknd I'll take the wheel off for a look and take a photo. Ian, I think you're right and we have early suspension because I think seem to remember from a previous conversation that the droplink(?) on ours is straight rather than bent. Oh hang on, I think I've got that all mixed up, doh!!

Think I'd best have a look at the wiki and old threads before asking more questions about tackling this job.

[Nicola&Tony]

Ok, so not a lot of info about this in wiki or old threads as far as I can see but it sounds like replacing the lower ball joint is rather tricky!
http://californiavan.com/frontend/80-84lowerballjoints/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... n#p7732562" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... n#p7643544" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Anti roll bar link; cranked (i.e. bent!) = early (1980-85)
Anti roll bar link; straight = late (1985 - 92)
http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_parts_Anti ... try_GB.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... gory_id=49" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lower ball joint boot:
http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Bal ... tartRow=14" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Snap ring for lower ball joint:
http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... gory_id=86" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Lower ball joint:
http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/shop?page=s ... gory_id=86" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.vwheritage.com/vw_spares_Bal ... tartRow=14" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;