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Pssst... anyone know a good mechanic?

STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK

19:52 / 05.05.03

Just had a fucking wicked weekend- went up to The Big Bang VW festival in the (sadly not yet painted, but festooned with cuddly Bagpi) Bugpuss. On the way up, her traditional rattling and juddering was getting progressively worse, until people started waving us over and telling us the front wheels were about to fall off. Tightened all the wheel-nuts (is that what you call 'em) and carried on. It kept getting worse. By the time we got there, nobody was gonna let me drive home in her.
Called the RAC this morning, got towed home (probably just as well in any case, feeling somewhat the worse for wear after a Sunday spent with booze, poppers, salvia, grass and pills).

Here's the question- apparently it's the "inner ball joint" on the front axle. Does anyone know anything about cars who could explain this to me? I don't want to sound like a know-nothing who can be easily ripped off when I go to the Beetle garage tomorrow.

BTW- Fucking ace weekend. Apart from the bit where the gas stove exploded, and the tent (and two of my friends) both went up in flames. But miraculously, no-one had any serious injury other than the loss of some hair, which was cool.

20:14 / 05.05.03

Hie thee to the library or bookstore, and obtain a copy of this, How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive.

You can also duck into almost any library and find a copy of a Chilton's or similar after-market manual for your car.

You might also enjoy advice from this page.

If the part's what I think it is (a CV joint or something related) the repair's gonna be a little expensive, but necessary. Actually, a brief search turns up parts in the $15-$25 range, so it won't be too bad. But still.

20:53 / 05.05.03

Yes, Stoatie, as it happens I do know an excellent mechanic! He lives/works at the end of my road and I see him every day...PM me by midday if you can and I'll see what I can do.

16:14 / 06.05.03

Sounds a fun weekend! Your knackered bit is part of the steering/suspension linkage -- one of the little levers and things that steer the front wheels when you turn the steering wheel yet still allow them to move up and down independently of each other when you go over bumps. The bit in question is like a hinge, and quite a lot like your shoulder socket. If it's loose, broken or worn, your wheels can turn by themselves away from the general direction of your car with the dramatic results you've described.

BTW, Beetles don't have CV (constant velocity) joints at the front (they probably don't have them at all!) so avoid referring to it as such.

16:37 / 06.05.03

I can ask my father about it later on tonite, he's been working on v-dub's for 25 years.

And I 2nd grant on the John Muir (sp?) manual. It's an absolute must have for any vw owner. Great illustrations and the kind of know-how that mechanics tote with them to the job. It's been out for some 30 years now.