#1 Alignment
#2 lower balljoint installed inproperly

Chris DeLong
ICQ#45030867
Seattle, WA USA
'80 16V 'Rocco ragtop
'91 GLi 2.0 16V
'77 Rabbit 16V
'80 'Vert (parting out!)
'61 17 Window type II
'91 Vanagon
'78 Rabbit
'84 Jetta

>From: James Wetzel <jwetzel@EPHARMALEARNING.COM>
>Reply-To: James Wetzel <jwetzel@EPHARMALEARNING.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: New Ball Joints feel like I am driving on ice.
>Date: Mon, 18 Nov 2002 05:25:12 -0500
>
>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.

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