I suppose any part can fail earlier in life than expected - but 20,000
miles? That sounds like there has been some serious abuse. I just
changed my D-side upper about 5000 back, and there was near 180,000 on
it. It had never been changed. If you gt good ones, expect them ot last
about like factory.

Of course it's always ideal to replace both sides - upper and lower - at
the same time, to maintain the integrity of the front end. These things
tend to hold up only and good as the oldest and most worn part.

If you have a place to work, as a do it yourself project it's not that
bad. The upper is a snap, but the lower takes a bit more effort. You
will need to grind off a couple of welds, and you will need a press.

Maybe someone has a "How to" website on this one.

Regards,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

neil N wrote:
> Hi all.
>
> I'm replacing the D-side upper ball joint. (torn boot) PO receipts say
> P-side upper done in 04. I'm guessing it doesn't have many miles it
> has on it, but...
>
> I have read of upper ball joint failure (or boot failure) at 20K
> miles. Some say it should last way more.
>
> What is the general life expectancy of an upper ball joint?
>
> Curious if I should replace both sides at the same time.
>
> Cheers, and thanks!
>
> Neil.
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 JettaWesty "Jaco
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
> http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
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