Just joined, but have been referring to your wonderful forum for sometime after purchasing my 2001 VW Beetle TDI with 117,000 miles on it now. I just love it and have been working on its problems a little at a time.
My current project will be replacing the front suspension lower arm bushings, since after investigating a clunking noise in the right front on some pot holes, etc., I can see where the rear bushing on r/side is in bad shape. I am planning on doing both sides front(using audi tt) and rear bushings (use stock?) and bolts, and also sway bar bushings. Not sure about the ball joints-since they don't seem to have much play-but I will check them further. I don't know how many miles you can expect out of the ball joints? But it does make sense to replace while I am in there anyway, except they sound like they can be hard to replace-any thoughts? I am also a bit concerned about the rear bushing weld nut breaking loose, but hope that since this car has never seen road salt that it may come apart easier.
Well, nice meeting all of you.
Chuck
My current project will be replacing the front suspension lower arm bushings, since after investigating a clunking noise in the right front on some pot holes, etc., I can see where the rear bushing on r/side is in bad shape. I am planning on doing both sides front(using audi tt) and rear bushings (use stock?) and bolts, and also sway bar bushings. Not sure about the ball joints-since they don't seem to have much play-but I will check them further. I don't know how many miles you can expect out of the ball joints? But it does make sense to replace while I am in there anyway, except they sound like they can be hard to replace-any thoughts? I am also a bit concerned about the rear bushing weld nut breaking loose, but hope that since this car has never seen road salt that it may come apart easier.
Well, nice meeting all of you.
Chuck