I changed the ball joints on my 67 222S last weekend and learned what were new tricks for me, after over 40 years as a DIY Volvo owner.

Trick 1. New ball joints (and tie rod ends, ujoints, etc) may have only a tiny bit of grease as delivered. You need to remove that tricky circlip, careful not to tear the rubber boot, to check. Then fill only enough so that when the boot is compressed as installed it will still have some flexibility left. Finally, carefully reinstall the circlip around the large end of the rubber boot.

Trick 2. Ever notice how the old ball joint's rubber boot is usually ripped in half, which let the grease out/water and dirt in? That is because it is meant to rotate with the joint. That means the small end of the boot must slip past the face of the steering knuckle that it bears against. I recommend sanding that surface smooth, and greasing before assembly.

As I said, these discoveries were new to me, and I had never seen reference to them in manuals. I am interested if people think this is misguided, already well known, or helpful.

OK, next week I do the u joints. Sledgehammer time.

Lars in Pasadena