The All New, New "What have you done to your Bay today" thread.

Starting writing a list of jobs to do on it. Should all be fine by 2023.

 

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Question for gurus, possibly @Bigherb .

Currently redoing some trailing arms. Not quite as crusty as they look. They'll clean up nicely, and they have absolutely rock-solid original balljoints in. Two appear to have plastic plugs in. Q: if I dig them out, are they likely to have threads in for fitting grease nipples? I suspect they have, or at least the one on the right.

All info welcome.

 

From memory, yes, they'll be threaded.

It's over 20 years ago now but back in the late 90's I replaced my rusty beam with a rot free Cali import which I bought and collected from Schofields in Glossop. The beam was complete but the balljoints were shot so I had 4 new ones pressed in to whichever arms I deemed to be the better ones at the time. I'm pretty certain that at least some of the old joints on the imported beam had those plastic plugs - and they were threaded.

 

Thx. What do you define as “shot” for balljoints? Apart from ratty boots, the ones above feel rock solid. Given the apparent sh1teness of modern replacements, I’m reluctant to rip them out.

 

Gosh, it was a long, long time ago! I think they'd been run for a long time without boots (maybe in the desert?) and as such they were very loose and rattly. Maybe the replacements available back then we're of a better quality? From what I'm discovering now, that does seem to be the case with a lot of the aftermarket parts. I do remember I had a local-ish VW specialist press the old ones out and new in, DG Motors in Wellingborough. I wonder if they're still going? Dominic Gardner, I recall he was heavily involved with a fairly popular VW trike conversation kit back in the 80s. Sorry, now I'm waffling

 

Think you’re right. Even 15 years ago, the quality of parts was better, generally. I haven’t heard a good word about the current balljoints on sale. Eighteen months and they’re shot, it seems.

There’s no movement in these things, so they’re keepers as spares. Would be good if I could fit nipples and properly lube at least two of them.

Next prob is finding boots that don’t fall apart after three months, of course…

 

Have you tried the boots from South Wales Propshafts?

 

Who are these folk? Have you got some?

 

If memory serves they do ball joint boots. I saw their name come up on the buggy forum as a good product that lasts. Worth a call?

 

I’ll take a look!

Van still running ok, are you bored now it’s done ?

 

It’s not mine and it’s not a bay but it is the first ‘canvas’ I’ve fitted solo. Quite chuffed and owners were very pleased.

 

Not always, but the metal is soft, and a grease nipple will cut a thread into it.

 

First camping trip of the year...

 

Far from it. Got a a load to do as a few bits went wrong. My back went towards the end of last year which halted progress. Better now but lacking enthusiasm to finish it.

 

I know how you feel. It seems endless. Victory euphoria over a troublesome task lasts about a minute because the next one needs tackling.
Keep going though. Warmer more pleasurable weather has arrived. Find a pace of progress that allows you to actually enjoy it, to a degree - that’s what I keep having to do.


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Take it for s blast in the sun, mate. You’ll soon get the love back (maybe ). What needs fixing?

 

Drove it to Portsmouth and took a walk to southsea


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Played hunt the solid metal. It’s gonna be a long, ongoing game!

 

Cleaned and re-greased my bottom channel on sliding door.

Fixed rattley tin ware.

Fitted new ignition.

Adjusted the clutch cable.