Dear List,

Just finished putting on a new set of ball joints from the Bus Depot ($50.00
for the pair) on my 84 Westy.  The van now feels like I am driving on ice.
The front end is very squirrelly.  At speeds over 55 , I can hardly control
the van.  If I hit a large bump, the whole van feels like I have lost
steering control for a second.

I am wondering if anyone knows the answer to the following:

Are these ball joints of inferior quality and if so, is there a brand/vendor
that is better?
Did I install them improperly to cause this?
Did I do some type of damage to the lower joints and/or tie rods?
What the heck would cause this?
Will it get better over time?

There is one post in the archives that leads me to believe the ball joints
are just crap and should be replaced with better ones.

Thanks,
Jim W.