Put them in the last year. Steering is still really tight. Maybe it’s a bad quality joint I am not sure. They were Mehle ball joints .Thinking of heating them up and banging theme with a big hammer .It’s not the steering box. I tested that. Any ideas ?
Don't no what to say ...i think it's just poor aftermarket parts ...try applying some thicker oil based freeing oil into the ball joint rubbers, could just be tight ..might just seep into the joint ...cheap and worth a try
My replacement ball joints were ok when fitted but started squeaking and the steering started feeling stiffer. I think they were Meyle. So I got some moly grease, took the boots off, filled them with grease, replaced the boot clips, massaged the boot, drove it, repeated periodic massage after driving it trying to get grease into the joint. The squeaking stopped.. I dont think a hammer will help as the joints have plastic bearing surfaces in them, and heat will do nothing until you melt the plastic.. .
I think Mr @nobody will be along shortly to tell you - and he’s probably quite right - that none of the replacement balljoints are ok, and will bind and wear quickly. They’re designed to act as balljoints, not weight-bearing items like the originals were. Moral of story: keep your original ones if there’s nothing much wrong with them. You’ll regret changing them for no good reason.
That is absolutely correct, most (if not all) balljoints that are available are made to modern spec where the weight of the vehicle is carried by the strut and balljoint is only a pivot point, bay balljoints carry a weight of the front- that be 1010 kg /4 so 252.5Kg per ball joint - double it up for braking acceleration (not to mention potholes). I can still get some that are made to original specification, that is they are load bearing but are not cheap. I suggest if you have original ones (post pics if not sure) then keep them - as the replacement available will have 5mm freeplay after few hundred miles.
I think 4 looks like what half killed me of exhaustion, hacksawing through the metal after angle grinding, when I removed original ball joints.
yes it is, all the OEM for VW back then were made like this. New replacements from all the suppliers are no longer made same way, the ones I can get are made in Europe and are made just like the originals. Pricey thought, but well worth it as they'll outlast your van. BTW I have purchased every single ball joint available in Europe and US to find the right stuff. took a lot of time and money.
