Mk1 Balljoints
Mk 1 owners, particulalry of ‘70s vehicles will find that these earlier cars used a 15mm steering balljoint (attached to the end of the wishbones, over which slides the upright/hub) which can now sometimes be a challenge to obtain.
When replacing the balljoints on my late 1977 GLS I found that the VW dealer could only order the later, larger 17mm type. The uprights of my car would not fit these later balljoints. When taking the incorrect sized balljoints back to the dealer, the parts chap scanned through ETKA and discovered that all mk1 chassis vehicles back to 1974 have the 17mm items listed for them and the 15mm listed as unavialable. I also tried several specialists but they also could only obtain the later 17mm size balljoints.
The Mk1 owner is presented with two options here:
· Try to track down some correct 15mm balljoints.
· Convert the car to the later 17mm balljoints by using late Mk1/all Mk2 uprights/hubs, pinchbolts and bearings. Wishbones remained unchanged throught Mk1/Mk2 and there are no issues with outer CV joint fitment but the correct size wheel bearings for the later hubs will need to be used.
Luckily, I managed to track some 15mm balljoints down at a back-street auto factors, my set had been on the shelf for a good ten years! Some auto factors are able to order some but supply seems to be hit and miss, so best to stockpile.
I’m not sure when the changover was enacted so if anybody can supply the information I will update this FAQ article. Also for a lead on a regular supply of 15mm balljoints!
Contributor: Forum user The Autoad