US Dollars
VW Beetle & Ghia Ball Joint Arm Install Guide
PRObuilt & ECObuilt Engineering Documentation
Complete installation guide for Classic Volkswagen Beetle and Karmann Ghia ball joint front suspension arms. Includes torque specifications, camber eccentric setup, alignment requirements, troubleshooting, and maintenance schedule.
What This Guide Covers:
- Step-by-step ball joint arm installation
- Proper torque specifications
- Camber baseline setup using eccentric adjusters
- Professional alignment requirements
- Common post-install steering issues
- Beam lubrication & maintenance schedule
PRObuilt Arms
- Powder-coated finish
- Premium hardware
- Detailed QC inspection
- Lifetime finish warranty
- Raw finish
- Budget-conscious option
- Same geometry
- Same articulation design
Installation procedure is identical for both systems.
This is not a direct swap. Improper order creates camber imbalance, steering wander, and tire wear.
- Do not match previous eccentric settings
- Do not reuse previous toe measurements
- Reset the system baseline
- Loosen lug nuts ¼ turn
- Safely support vehicle
- Remove brake assembly (do not disconnect brake lines)
- Release tie rod tapers properly (avoid pickle forks)
- Clean torsion leaves before installing new arms
- Lubricate lightly before seating arms fully
- Set camber baseline to approximately 90°
Professional 4-wheel alignment is required after installation.
| Upper Ball Joint Nut | 43 ft-lbs |
| Lower Ball Joint Nut | 43 ft-lbs |
| Grub Screw | 18 ft-lbs |
| Jam Nut | 36 ft-lbs |
| Tie Rod Ends | 33 ft-lbs |
| Wheel Lug Nuts | Per wheel manufacturer |
Improper torque introduces deflection that feels exactly like steering play.
Steering Feels Loose
- Damaged taper
- Under-torqued fasteners
- Worn center pin
- Camber not adjusted
- Toe misaligned
- Grub screws not fully torqued
- Jam nut not seated
- Pump beam zerks every oil change (2–3 pumps each)
- Inspect ball joint boots every 5,000 miles
- Verify grub screw torque at 500 miles
- Inspect eccentric orientation annually
If your removed components are OEM VW stamped and structurally sound, they may qualify for core eligibility.
Call or Text 1-623-518-3537 for verification.