Ball Joint Dimensions............

Does anyone have the technical spec of a late MK2 balljoint, diameter, groove dimensions and locations etc.

I dont think i have one lying around spare, and i need ti to do a drawing

Could someone acurately measure one for me please

 

Its jus that actual metal stem i need the dimensions off, not the joint/base itself

 

If you're thinking of having extensions made up, there was a Mk1 racer on VWVortex who used to use them - he had to give up because they kept breaking on him, no matter what he made them from........ wouldn't want one breaking on my car...

 

Surely you can make em strong enough......


Do you know how they were failing?

 

By breaking....
There was a couple of long threads about it on the vortex months ago, in the Mk1 forum. 99% sure he was one of the very knowledgeable engineer/machinist/racer types, but can't remember his name - might have been Sam Rabbit or something? There was a billion page debate about the benefits and non benefits of altering the geometry this way, I think they eventually decided it wasn't really worth doing just to keep a low ride height but have your wishbones level, even if the bits could be made to last. Couldn't guarantee it though, it was ages ago......

 

You sure you didnt dream it?

Did a wee bit of a search of the web lastnight, its a technique used to alter the roll centres quite significantly. Commonly a threaded section and a rose joint so that they are adjustable though.


Sure he wasnt jus some retard american usin bits of plastic/plaster/homebaked pastry for the parts?

 

No, don't think so (but I could well be remembering it wrong) - try posting a thread on the Mk1 forum, asking who it was that was running them?

 

Eugh i hate the vortex

Full of american retards

 

What the big advantage of having the wishbones leval ?

 

Less camber change when you corner, less wear on the CV joints, amongst other more complicated things that I'll let Golden and Motorhead explain together, in a friendly way......

 

Yep, but there are a few diamonds on there as well..... a bloke called wackywabbitracer (or wacer?) on the Mk1 forums REALLY knows his stuff. He might be a good one to ask...... has a very tasty racing Mk1 as well.....

 

Levelling the wishbones in my case will have zero effect on the CV joint angle

 

I see mine point upwards on a 40mm drop

wouldent mind raising it a bit though

 

Someone can explain the term roll centre too

 

Here's one thread - not the longer one, but it gives a few viewpoints.....

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=650333

Samrabbit and the Wackywabbit one are smart, I'd listen to them over just about anyone on that forum....
From what I remember one of the more decent engineering blokes started making and selling them, (not bodged welded ones either), but had to stop because a lot were breaking.

 

Your upward wishbone situation is nothing compared to mine

 

why cant you use a metal plate between the ball joint fixing plate (that slides into the wishbone) and the wishbone itself.

then all you would need is longer M10 bolts to hold the assembly together

with a plate in the wishbone to stop it closing up when you do the 3 13mm bolts up, I fail to see how this would be any less durable than the original set up ?

 

OUCH !!

 

Now thats the ticket, jus what i was gonna design tonight, but i couldnt get my Pro/E to install


Also had a quick read and read they mount the track rod ends upside downt o remove the bump steer too.

It would appear it is possible to restore a lot of the factory handling and keep it low relatively easily