John,

I've got the same symptom in my 87 with 146,000 miles.   I've replaced the
upper ball joints (reduced clunks somewhat) and will soon replace the lower
ones also.   I think the better test for ball joint wear is to compress the
joint with a C-clamp and measure play , then compare with a new one (this
is test for other cars).   Unfortunately, VW doesn't specify wear limits,
that I can find, so when I replace them I will measure and report to the
group the wear measured, and whether replacing the joint fixed the clunk.
I'm pretty sure that they are the cause.

Dave

At 07:39 PM 5/6/97 -0500, John Olmsted wrote:
>I have a 1983 diesel GL that makes an ugly 'clunk' when going over bumps
>at low speed.  I have replaced the rack & pinion due to excesive play
>and the tie rod ends; to no avail.
>
>Is it possible that the lower ball joints are gone?  My mechanic says
>they are ok, he prys on the joint to check for play.  I am not sure this
>is a valid check, does anyone know a more foolproof check?  What
>experience have any list members had with ball joints/front end clunks?
>
>We have owned our van since new, it has 225 000 km (~135 000 mi).
>
>--
>Diesel John
>
>'83 Vanagon Diesel GL  'The Smoking Tortoise'
>'71 S-Cab 'Ole Blu'
>'83 Audi 5000 TD
>'84 Audi 5000 Avant
>ex '71 Superbeetle
>ex '71 Window Van
>ex '76 Scirocco
>ex '77 & '78 Rabbit Diesel
>
>
>