From the WTF! Files

[louisb]

I took my front trailing arms to the only person in the area I trust to work on my VW besides myself to have the ball joints replaced. He just called me to let me know that someone had welded ball joint for the lower right trailing arm to the arm. He said he can take it out and it should be okay. But why the 'ell would anyone weld a ball joint to an arm.  <sigh>

--louis

[Sarge]

The poor mans way of dealing with the need for an oversize knurling ball joint would be my guess.  From the big, old, parts book under the front counter, 131 405 361 G and 131 405 362 G are oversize (38.6 mm) as compared to standard (38.3mm).  Lotsa luck, man!

[John Rayburn]

Somehow I KNEW you would know the part number..... Oh , and Sarge, who are you going trick or treating as?