Aussieveedubbers · Type 3 and Karmann Ghias

upper and lower ball joints

https://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/threads/102558/upper-and-lower-ball-joints

vwo60 ·

I bought a type 34 and it has been is storage for a few years, this is my first type 3 and do not have a manual at the moment, i have the front end dismantled to replace all the rotten ball joint boots and a couple of tie rod ends, I found the lower ball joints worn so i bought two from Bursons, BJ45, i compaired them to the orginals and found that the new ones do not have any ecentric adjustment, i have checked with Mick motors and there replacements are ecentric, i have ordered two from micks, has anybody had any issues with the ball joints not being adjustable.
Thanks
Shayne

grumble ·

Stick with Vw parts suppliers who know their business and Micks is one of them.

vwo60 ·

grumble have you had any problems with the ball joints, plenty of people have used the brand i bought but probably did not realise that they are not ecentric

vlad01 ·

That is interesting, I have some BJ45 on the self. Must check this now.

vwo60 ·

I phoned Road Safe in Melbourne and found out that these are just repackaged Quintin Hazel joints, there should be no difference to the originals as they are made from the manufacturer original design, Should not make any difference who makes them, BJ45 is the universal number for the lower joint, it is the Road Safe and Quintin Hazel brands that are non ecentric. most people would not pick up on this so there are probably a few out there, the wheel alignment place would not worry about it as it is just another old car they cannot get the camber or castor correct on.

grumble ·

vwo60 wrote:grumble have you had any problems with the ball joints, plenty of people have used the brand i bought but probably did not realise that they are not ecentric
I purchased a set a lot of years ago and they were incorrect (I can't remember what ones they were) and made the decision then to use suppliers who specialised in the VW parts,usually the brand was original and the quality excellent. Consequently over the next 35 years or so I stuck with these suppliers for all of my parts.

vwo60 ·

Any ball joint made for the vehicle should be as per the original. from any source, i have had a few things over the years from vw suppliers and that were not correct as well.

68AutoBug ·

vwo60 wrote:I bought a type 34 and it has been is storage for a few years, this is my first type 3 and do not have a manual at the moment, i have the front end dismantled to replace all the rotten ball joint boots and a couple of tie rod ends, I found the lower ball joints worn so i bought two from Bursons, BJ45, i compaired them to the orginals and found that the new ones do not have any eccentric adjustment, i have checked with Mick motors and there replacements are eccentric, i have ordered two from micks, has anybody had any issues with the ball joints not being adjustable.
Thanks
Shayne
Hi

I have always bought ball joints from VW shops who know what they sell.. especially the ones who have been around for many years..
and quote VW part numbers...
and have bought most of My stuff over the years from Mick Motors.. but have used many others over the years..
because generic parts fit, doesn't mean they are correct as you have found.. especially 40+ years after the cars were made..
Most of the cross-conversion parts lists have all but disappeared..

cheers

LEE

vlad01 ·

vwo60 wrote:Any ball joint made for the vehicle should be as per the original. from any source, i have had a few things over the years from vw suppliers and that were not correct as well.
you're not wrong on that.

Every aftermarket part I get these days seems to have something not right.

Things that are crucial, like suspension parts, EFI and fuel system parts which are critical for safety.

vwo60 ·

I have to rework most things i buy, the one that wins for me was a bra i bought for my early beetle from a very famous reseller in Australia, when i told him the one he sent was for a 68 on beetle he tried to tell me it would work alright on my early car, then had a problem returning it to him for a refund.

vlad01 ·

yep I love reworking everything 👍 its fun!