Powerflex Bushes and Ball Joints

Big lumps of metals and spanners. Including servicing and fluids.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

User avatar
Smiffo
Registered user
Posts: 2315
Joined: 20 May 2014, 12:09
80-90 Mem No: 15151
Location: Bristol

Re: Powerflex Bushes and Ball Joints

Post by Smiffo »

pleasestartnow wrote: 22 Apr 2023, 11:10
Smiffo wrote: 19 Apr 2023, 19:26 I've watched the very good James Akers vids on changing the suspension bushes, and all Ball joints.
Now I have come away thinking the ball joint game seems like a minefield, and the Powerflex bushes seem darn expensive.


The ball joints are actually really straight forward
......in theory :D . I followed his videos as well and got tremendous help here and apart from nuts being stuck due to corrosion it was grand and could be done fairly quickly. The bottom ball joint is the only one that you probably can't do yourself unless you have a press, but the local mechanic did it here for like 20 euro.

The roll bar bushes and steering rack bushes can be done in place, I used powerflex ones about 8 years ago and I actually don't know if I imagined the van felt smoother or if it actually did. I just replaced the roll bar ones again today with non powerflex ones purely cause of cost. I will use non powerflex ones as well for the drop links bushes when I do them as well because of cost, even though I do love the bright colours :lol:

Which make of ball joint did you end up with?
'89 1.9 DG

“Some people die at 25 years old, and are buried at 75 yrs old” ~ Benjamin Franklin.

pleasestartnow
Registered user
Posts: 328
Joined: 20 Dec 2013, 12:05
80-90 Mem No: 11015
Location: Ireland

Re: Powerflex Bushes and Ball Joints

Post by pleasestartnow »

I cant remember the name on the packaging but I will be back at the van tomorrow and will post it then. I think it was Meyle though, I remember that much. I got them from vwspares.ie as I'm in Ireland.

Even just changing them I think makes a big difference. Track rod change as well is easy and I feel will make a big difference to mine. Previously, I took off the upper joint and the whole knuckle just freely moved fell to one side and the track rod couldn't support itself. Changed the three joints and the track rod and the whole area feels way more solid.

Literally everything that could go wrong for me did so if you have any questions let me know :lol:
1Y 1990 5 speed 1.9D

User avatar
R0B
Moderator
Posts: 19487
Joined: 07 Oct 2005, 17:33
80-90 Mem No: 864
Location: Cheshire

Re: Powerflex Bushes and Ball Joints

Post by R0B »

Sounds like you had a bad case of Murphys law going on there fella.
2.1 LPG/Petrol Auto Caravelle

"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"

Post Reply