On Thu, 18 Feb 1999, Henning, Eric wrote:
> Having troubles searching the archives (seems only a week by week search
> works) for the hints/cheats/recommendations for doing an upper ball joint
> replacement on a 80 westy.  Anybody have something written up?
>
> thanks
>
> eric.henning@bailey.com

Eric -- I don't have anything written up, but I can tell you from
experience that it's a pretty easy job.  I followed the Bentley
instructions, but it's been long enough since I did it that I can't
remember much more than that.

I don't know if one needs to undo the steering ball joint or remove
the ball joint adapter with the ball joint attached, but I did
since my goal was to replace as many of the ball joints as I could.
In the process I twisted off one of the ball joint adapter bolts...
uggh.  I also recall using a hammer-impact screwdriver to remove the
sheet metal disc shield.  Also make sure you have the right tools
for getting the damnable bolt off that holds on the caliper hose
bracket.... that was a bit annoying.

I got a nice little tool (not a pickle
fork) to press out the tierod ball joint from Pep Boys, what a deal,
they have a sort of free rental plan where you give 'em the purchase
price, they hand over the tool, use it, bring it back in 30 days more
or less intact and they give you your money back.

        Gary

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Gary Shea                                       shea@xmission.com
Salt Lake City                      http://www.xmission.com/~shea