Yes, allowing the top ball joint to hold the spring back can damage it due
to the side load. When replacing the front shocks a jack should be used to
support the lower control arm.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
brett rueff
Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 12:18 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: spring/shock replacement.

Just in the process of replacing my shocks (fox) and springs (GW) and front
end bushings (powerflex).  Its all gone pretty well.  I checked Bentley this
afternoon while putting things back together and saw this rather nebulous
statement "when replacing spring be careful not to damage upper ball joint".
Soooooo....how might one do that?  Several times during removal and assembly
the upper control arm was all that was holding the spring and LCA in place
as the shock had been removed but I made sure the allen bolts that hold the
upper ball joint were properly screwed in.  Might I have somehow damaged the
upper ball joint but letting things 'hang' off it.
Otherwise the process has been good.  Had a damaged (rounded out) hole on
drives side radius arm bushing but a weld has fixed that.  Pax side was
fine.  Pics to follow.
BrettVancouver BC91 westy, 2.2L suby.