Club 80-90 Forums

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

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

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.

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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;