Re: Having a ball with a joint....

[Paul.Heneghan@bbc.co.uk (Heneghan,Paul)]

I have to side with Jeremy here.  I have only had one ball joint come 
 easily out of a strut out of all my (probably getting on for 20) 
 attempts on 80s, 80Qs, Passats, Jettas and even 100s.  On most cars 
 (where it may not have been touched for 10 years) the joint has rusted 
 into the strut.  This could be related to the salt used on the roads 
 in the UK during winter.  Even when it is not rusted into place, the 
 upward force exerted by the wishbone (A-frame to you) bushes makes 
 removal difficult, and there is also a tendancy for the bolt when 
 loose, to twist and bind on the way out.  It is very frustrating when 
 you can feel that it is loose, but it only moves a few mm and then 
 snags again.

Removal of the wishbone only takes a few minutes and allows lots more 
 manouvering.  I now do it as a matter of course (it also lets me check 
 the notorious wishbone bushes).

Paul
paul.heneghan@bbc.co.uk
1984 Audi 80 quattro
1983 Audi 100 CD Avant


From: STEADIRIC@aol.com
>I have done probally around 20 lower ball joints on 4K/Coupes and 
>Quantums and Never Once did I remove the lower A-Arm to remove the ball 
>joint....  I've even seen one fall out of the strut while the car was 
>driving..... Not a pretty sight.