Aircooled VW South Africa

Tony Z wrote: ↑Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:27 pm With the Bilstein balljoint specifically, it is a copy of the VW balljoint, except for the large metal load bearing disc is now made of a large piece of plastic (Teflon?) which can be deformed under pressure. So the weight of the vehicle is carried on 4 pieces of plastic, each about 10mm thick.

Chrisbezui wrote: ↑Sat Apr 10, 2021 7:35 pm ....Do you have any recommendations?

Have as said before, drilled and fitted a grease nipple into all my ball joints.

Had no problem with them, still as firm as when fitted.

Just as a matter of interest, when i moved a 3000 ton injection moulding machine from East London to Port Elizabeth I had to replace the wear plate of the 65 ton moving platen, which now slides on a 5 mm thick plastic sheet of 150 mm by 300 mm.

Has run for 10 years and not sagged a mm to date.Plastics have come a long way from the 60's days of Japan made toys.

OMO

Herman

I've taken apart quite a few (may 20) different brands and each one is designed differently.
I even managed to source Nakata OEM ball joints (who want a minimum order of 10000 to do a production run) but even theirs are now different to the OEM style, while their early units were truely the same as OEM.
I did find a German balljoint supplier who would not ship to SA, so I bought them via USA. Ended up costing around R750 each and are brilliant. But, now they are no longer available.
I'm still hunting for a good option when I find another supplier.

Would any from Goldwagen be of use nowadays? I've heard that the Golf ball joints are the same fit. Not sure which ones though.

no idea
get me part numbers and I'll happily check them out

Chrisbezui wrote: ↑Sun Apr 11, 2021 10:39 am Would any from Goldwagen be of use nowadays? I've heard that the Golf ball joints are the same fit. Not sure which ones though.

The ones listed under the Baywindow these days seems to be only rubbish being sold.

For certain citi golf ball joints are not the same.

I have been using Febi’s for several years now and had no issues to date. Master parts no longer seems to be stocking Febi, so the ball joints are no longer available.

I have found the best local alternative is to use the T3 lower ball joint for both upper and lower arms on the T2.

It’s near exactly the same except for a slight cut out made to clear the arm on a T3, but this causes no problem while using them on a bay.

This is the part number from Goldwagen.

Hi sean,

For some reason I cannot view the image.
EDIT: I could view the image on my phone, so got the part number (A426) - How would these be installed in terms of alignment? Do I lign up the larger notches to be centre with the notch on the arm?

But that would be a good idea to use!

Thanks Tony, will do once I get them.

Hi Tony & sean,

The ball joint that I've been referred to is an AutoZone ball joint, but I believe this will probably not be the best option.

After searching a bit on thesamba, I've read that two brands are the best bet, namely Nakata and Delphi.

What are your opinions on those, or should I rather go with the Febi T3 ball joints?

dont get the autozone unit, you will be very disappointed.

As far as I know, you cannot get the Nakata or Delphi locally.
Nakata used to make the OEM balljoints and were the best. Then they changed their design to save cost...
The Delphi unit has a large flat machined into the bottom of the ball, where it should be supporting load, instead this is now a grease pocket.

Think some joints of similar dimensions were developed for a different application, not meant to take a vertical load. Like the bottom ball joint of a macpherson suspension. Where all the vehicle's weight is taken by the upper part. Bottom joint then only locate sideways and forward/backwards position.

Thanks Tony and Dawie.

I am able to purchase Delphi's for import, but if it is as you mention, it takes me back to sean's recommendation once again. It's also easier to source.

But I'm wracking my brain trying to figure out how the T3's joints will be installed. Their cut-outs are very different and I don't want to go installing them incorrectly.
Any advice on how to install them?

Here is a pic of old ball joint. You will see the long travel of the ball joint moves / is aligned with the cut outs. You must ensure the T3 joint is installed the same way which requires you to remove the boot and check first.

Thanks sean.

Didn't know it had that type of travel. I'll def get the T3s then!

Thanks a lot for the assistance and info