I would get under there and recheck everything for tightness.  These
ball joints are decent and should not instantly fail.  Almost all of the
ball joints on my '91 Carat are shot (it is sitting in the shop waiting
for new ones) and they have been for a while but it never effected
handling (just made some popping noises when making sharp turns).  It
sounds to me like something is loose under there.  I took my brother's
Nissan to the front end alignment shop one time to have the ball joints
replaced and do a front end alignment.  I came out of the shop and on
the first turn I almost went into a ditch.  Brought it back and they
found that they had forgotten to tighten something (yikes!).  Check again.

Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
http://www.vanagain.com
Phone: 856-327-4936
Fax: 856-327-2242

----- Original Message -----
From: James Wetzel <jwetzel@EPHARMALEARNING.COM>
Date: Monday, November 18, 2002 5:25 am
Subject: New Ball Joints feel like I am driving on ice.

> 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
> controlthe 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/vendorthat 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
> jointsare just crap and should be replaced with better ones.
>
>
> Thanks,
> Jim W.
>