JBugs - 1967 VW Beetle - Ball Joint Replacement

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This 1967 Beetle belongs to an employee of ours and is driven regularly and as such is prone to common issues that go along with owning a Vintage VW. This time it popped a lower ball joint. We’ve done the repair a few times and while most people don’t have a press in their garage, they do have the tools needed to remove and reinstall the trailing arms. Follow along as we cover the repair.
Intro 0:00
Vehicle prep: 1:07
Drum and spindle removal: 1:15
Sway bar removal: 1:38
Shock removal: 1:50
Trailing arm removal: 2:15
Lower ball joint removal (hydraulic press): 3:03
Lower ball joint installation (hydraulic press): 3:44
Upper ball joint removal (hydraulic press): 4:41
Upper ball joint installation (hydraulic press): 5:02
Trailing arm installation: 5:38
Sway bar installation: 6:08
Drum and spindle installation: 6:40
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Tools used in this video:
Sledge Hammer
Chisel
Long Punch
Adjustable Pliers
Locking Pliers
Side Cutters
8mm Allen Wrench
Flat Head Screwdriver
3/8" Drive Ratchet
3/8" Drive 11mm Socket
17mm Wrench
19mm Wrench
1/2" Drive Ratchet
1/2" Drive 3" Extension
1/2" Drive 17mm Socket
1/2" Drive 19mm Socket
Hydraulic Press
Ball Joint Installation & Removal Sleeves & Adapters
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Music Provided By:
Keep It Real by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)
Artist: audionautix.com/
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Videos are intended for entertainment purposes. Factory specifications should be followed when performing any task on your vehicle.

[@richsmith6952]

You guys make great how-to videos. Much appreciated.

[@johnrushing9469]

Thanks for all your videos, don't stop making them even short and to the point videos help A LOT!!

[@davyboscart1089]

Top! Simple and no blabla... Great instruction! 👍

[@malkucken]

couldn't ask for better instructions - thank your posting!

[@Sam_Mebane]

Thank you!

[@SteveBlack-kj3pm]

Exelente trabajo j bugs. Saludos

[@johncollins5552]

Happy Christmas J Bugs! I got stuck at the lower arm grub screw rounded out the Allen key, for some reason it was way shallow compared to the upper one that the key went deeper in and opened easy! I used a 3 leg pullers to get the eccentric bush off, that was tough after 50 years on there haha!

[@Sam_Mebane]

My guess is that the grub screw was severely packed with road grime and debris....been there done that! That's why I always scrape them out before hand with a small screwdriver.

[@99tmsmith]

i didnt know that about the allignment notches. i had a hell of a time trying to get my old ball joint out. i broke 2 new ball joint trying to get them to seat right

[@SladesVWBeetle]

Some don’t know about them being clocked into certain position.

[@VWRICH23]

On my to do list 👍

[@aviationdreams6443]

Thank you

[@douglasbarnhart3324]

Thank's for the video.

[@VintageWanderer]

Great job

[@user-lz8uh6ro7d]

Thanks the video helped me

[@FixinBugsNStuff]

Great video! Got to have a hydraulic press to do the job right.

[@Sam_Mebane]

That, or an VW ball joint tool, but they aren't too common nowadays!

[@galencurrington8704]

Yeah I have one it’s called a time pirate. You don’t even have to take the arms off the car.

[@benkanobe7500]

Do the trailing arms "index" into the front in and torsion bars as I noticed their position was not marked before removal? How do I know I put them back in the same place?

[@tonygreen3528]

There is a ball joint remover tool you use in place without taking the arms off, I have one and it’s so much easier than using a hydraulic press, I got mine from eBay ! 🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@wilsonunplugged]

but how do you get them back in?

[@Sam_Mebane]

@@wilsonunplugged most set ups that can remove the ball joints on the car can install them as well. It's just a matter of pushing the ball joint one way or the other.

[@paulfishanderson]

i was hitting mine wondering why it would not come out ....lol thanks

[@Sam_Mebane]

It would take one heck of a hammer and hit to remove it that way!

[@MrGarcon98]

if i understand this right BOTH ARE DIRECTIONAL ? upper and lower have knotches to look for ,,,,not just the bottom ones ??? thanks

[@Sam_Mebane]

Some are, some aren't. IF the ball joints, upper or lower, have notches, they are directional. At some point someone may have replaced only one of the ball joints and perhaps it was a non directional unit where as the rest were directional. Who knows what has happened during the last 20, 30, 40+ years. Just pay attention to whatever you are having installed.

[@MrGarcon98]

@@Sam_Mebane well just got mine done ,,,,its very clear that on a 1970 front beam that ONLY the lowers are directionals no mistake about it ,,,,just saying now my buggy is riding like it should ,,,,,just saying thanks

[@UnchokedStroke]

Any way to do this without a hydraulic press and possibly use a ball joint press kit?

[@Sam_Mebane]

Yes, if you can find the right cups, etc, it can be done.

[@Procooktip]

Hi JBUGS. I’m having a terrible time with my new ball joints. They are stiff and the steering wanders! Any fix for this?

[@Sam_Mebane]

New ball joints are considerably "stiffer" than old worn out joints out of the box. Assuming they are installed in the correct orientation (with the notches facing front and rear) any wandering is most likely from other worn components. You can jack up the front end and with the wheels off the ground, pull on the wheels and see where any "play" is coming from. Items like the tie rod ends, wheel bearings and steering box can all cause the front end to wander.

[@djjmsimon]

Do you sell the press bushings? I could not find the right diameters in town. It's so thin to press against on the one.

[@Sam_Mebane]

We do not. I picked up my "universal" kit while on vacation off roading in Moab. Harbor Freight may have a kit with suitable bushings, or if nothing else bushings that can be modified. I have in the past use a variety of sockets and cut down steel tubing to press ball joints in and out.

[@djjmsimon]

@@Sam_Mebane I ended up having to drill through the ball edge, press out the ball and saw the inner 'race' to remove. hf doesn't have the right diameter (at least the one I have) thanks again

[@Sam_Mebane]

@@djjmsimon no problem, glad you got it figured out!

[@laplebadavlogz5563]

DO BOTH UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINT ONLY MOVE A CERTAIN WAY OR IS IT JUST THE LOWER BALL JOINT?

[@galencurrington8704]

It really depends on the brand.

[@Sam_Mebane]

Typically, both ball joints will be notched for direction, yes.

[@rickshaw665]

My car did not have the washers at 6:45 and 7:07. Do you sell them or know what size they are?

[@Sam_Mebane]

We don't offer them, no. They are 12mm washers, the upper one being oversized to hold the eccentric adjuster.

[@Supplayers]

My lower trailing arm is stuck on the beam I can’t get it off help?

[@Sam_Mebane]

If the set screw is removed, the only thing holding it on is tension, rust, grime & grease. Try moving the arm up and down with a jack to make sure it is free, then if nothing else a few taps with a sledge hammer should break it free.

[@DVSNTHERE]

I cant get the upper shaft high enough to raise it over the upper spindle hole and camber adjuster. What am I doing wrong?

[@Sam_Mebane]

Getting the arms in place can be a pain. Often times I've had to stand on the lower arm and pry up the upper arm to get them in place.

[@DVSNTHERE]

@@Sam_Mebane Thank you I’ll keep working on it.

[@DVSNTHERE]

@@Sam_Mebane And…. I guess that means the torsion bars are in good shape

[@Sam_Mebane]

@@DVSNTHEREAbsolutely!

[@julieulloa5314]

while driving what things will point to ball joint replacement?

[@Sam_Mebane]

Typically, short of a control arm popping out, you won't normally have any one issue that would directly point to a worn ball joint. The weight of the car will keep things set in place while driving. You'd normally check for play in the joints with the front end off the ground.

[@galencurrington8704]

If the boots are gone the joint is not that far behind.