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Hello, I need help in getting a clear explanation of how to check the ball joints for wear. I have a ff migi on a 67 vw. books are not clear and samba has no info on inspection. Love the td bug!!!!!! thanks ,Dennis
Is it assembled? I been just shaking the tire/wheel & feeling for slop. Hopefully someone here has a more scientific method.
Not sure there is one, Ed. Checking for slop and a visual inspection to make sure the rubber boots are still intact. That’s all I’ve ever done or seen — this is done, of course, with the car jacked up and no weight on the front wheel…
Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...Just today, I was at HappyJack’s and he had the front end of his new TDr up in the air. So we checked for “slop”. There is a little slop in his tie rods, but not much. So, how much is too much? I really don’t know either. I’ll bet that it will soon be taken care of because tie rod ends are relatively inexpensive and easy to install/change. But was it really necessary??
IMO, slop in tie rods is more serious than slop in ball joints. Slop in tie rods can allow the front end to shimmy, excessive bump steer, and all kinds of handling issues… ball joints not so much.
Early FF TDr on 69 VW pan
Slowly coming back from the ashes...Hmm, I did have some right front wheel shimmy when I applied the brakes on my maiden test drive — thought it was the brakes.
I may need to re-look at those tie rod ends while I have the front wheels off to do the brake job…Jack it up till the wheel is off the ground. Place a pry bar under the tire and lift. Check for excessive movement in the joint.
Bill Ascheman
Fiberfab Ford
Modified 5.0, 5sp., 4:11
Autocross & Hillclimb
"Drive Happy"you can connect a dial indicator up & measure the movement. but as a state insp. mechanic for 20+years I have found if you can feel movement the part tie rodend or ball joint is on its last legs. but if greasing the joint took up the slack I would let the customer slide & tell him they would need replaced soon.
Thanks, Did the pry bar and the “grab the wheel” and all is well.
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