[2002-11-18 05:25 -0500] James Wetzel (jwetzel@EPHARMALEARNING.COM) wrote:
> 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.

I replaced all of the ball joints in my van with Bus Depot joints a
couple-three years ago.  I can't say for sure that they are the same
ones you have, but to the credit of the Bus Depot, the van felt much
more solid afterwards.

Just a data point.

Sounds like you replaced the uppers (only?)... I think it unlikely that you
damaged anything else severely enough to cause the immediate problems
you're describing, I'd be more worried about whether something went
wrong during re-assembly.  The 'large bump' scenario sounds scary as
hell!  It's been too long since I pulled it apart, I can't remember what
has to come apart in order to remove the upper ball joints, but my guess
is that something didn't go back together right!

        Gary