In a message dated 13/10/2009 12:22:24 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

        Jeff, this is VERY common  in the rust belt vans.  You need to
remove the lever with the cable  attached which I think you have already done.
Then try to get the cable  end off the ball.  The last one I did the ball
end broke out of the lever  where it was peened in.  I then had to cut the
cable end with a grinder and  split it open to get the cable end off the ball.
I then put back the ball  on the lever, peened it over real good so it was
tight then cleaned up the mess  and POR-15ed the lever.  If peening is not
working a MIG welder is the  next beat bet.  Re-install the lever and install
a new cable.  PITA  but that's the "REAL" story with rusty Vanagons.  Maybe
better to move to  Cali-FORN-I-A  and move in with my daughter in
Watsonville !

>>>>>>>So here is my dilema.

My van is  an automatic - the accelerator cable connects to a "kick down
lever" (sorry  if that's not the appropriate name of the part) on the
transmission. It is  connected with a ball joinmt type connection. Cool
right? No not cool  because the socket end that is ont he end of the
accelerator cable is  completely rusted to the ball part on the lever.

My fear here is that  in trying to remove the socket (because I am replacing
the accelerator  cable) I will break the ball off of the lever and be right
back where I was  three years ago - trying to find a replacement peice.

I currently have  the part soaking in The Works (that stuff does carzy
things
to rust - if  you've never tried it I suggest you do) in the hopes that it
will remove  and loosen enough rust to get that apart.

So in the event that I do get  it appart what do you all suggest I do to
keep
that part from completely  rusting together again? I mean I can paint it
with
the "rust blocking"  paint of my choice but I'm not sure that would do much
in the long run.  Also, what would you suggest I use to properly lube that
joint?

Has  anyone else had this  issue?<<<<<<<<<<<<

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_
(http://frankcondelli.com/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://frankcondelli.com/busindex.html)  -
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://frankcondelli.com/exhaust.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://www.busfusion.com/)  a VW Camper  camping event,
Almonte, ON, June 11 ~ 14,  2009