T4 ball joints...

[Seano]

This could be one for the ages...

After 250,000 km, the ball joints in the front end of my 2001 T4 2.5TDi have finally sucummbed. Much clonking is being had whilst on the move and they are visibly rooted.

My mechanic enquired as to the replacement parts cost and was quoted $130-$150 for each ball joint. Basically $280 per side. That was for a TRW branded part... Makes me fearful of what VW might charge.

Suffice to say we both thought that was 'quite expensive'. I've since ordered some Meyle HD BJ's from VW Heritage for about $70 per side.

I couldn't be stuffed trying to source them locally by doing the magic ring around but has anyone found a better price than $230 per side in Oz?

So now I wait for them to arrive before Old Mate can fit them. The only potential wrinkle I can forsee is that he hasn't the right tool set to push the upper BJ out insitu or the 14mm multispline driver to release the driveshaft flanges...we shall see.

[Umai Naa!!]

$70-ish each is about as good as you're going to get, I reckon.

T4-specific parts are still horrendously expensive locally, for non-genuine.

Meyle are OEM anyway, so you're not really skimping on quality.

[Seano]

Ha! I paid about $35 each so I'm cool with that...yeah the Meyle stuff seems quite decent in terms of quality.

[t4tradie]

I have replaced both upper & lower ball joints with genuine TRW in the last 12 months.

There in no need to remove or loosen the driveshaft, wedging the upper arm with a modified bolster or a long series socket will work.

A lot of the U.K. guys remove them without the tool using a little brute force. A VW tech I know used a length of water pipe & lowered the van on the hoist slightly to 'pop' the joint. This was the preferred method at his dealership.

I have since replace one of my new ball joints due to a squeak developing. Upon removal is was clear it was that there was substantial wear with no signs of external damage. This was surprising given you think you are doing the right thing given my original factory fitted ball joints were TRW & had travelled in excess of 320k & were in surprisingly good condition. All others check out ok, maybe I got a factory dud.

It may pay to check whether the lower joints have the factory multi spline bolts prior.

Lower rear arm bushes also wear & are pretty easy to check by turning lock to lock with the wheels on the ground. You will see the arm move forward & backwards on the rear bush if they are worn. These are a voided bush & collapse with time. The front bushes a a full bush & pretty robust. Some replacement lower rear bushes are full bushes & are a lot better than the OE bush.

Ball joints & bushes tighten the front end up considerablely, reduce squeaks & groans & give a much better drive.


By all accounts OE or Meyle HD are the parts of choice.

[Umai Naa!!]

Good advice.

[Seano]

Old mate finally had the time to do the swap today. Five hours was what I was charged for. He didn't have the 14mm multi spline for the bottom joints but was able to borrow one from another shop. The top ones came out with a load up and some heat...no banging required!

Sadly, both outer rod ends are toasty as well.