Arthritis in the Beetle

Except for a sideswipe by Industry Critic Ralph Nader that "it is hard to find a more dangerous car than the Volkswagen," foreign-made autos generally escaped the critical blasts about safety recently directed at Detroit. Last week Volkswagen, which had vigorously denied Nader's charge, became the first foreign automaker to join Detroit in admitting to a recall campaign.

To 480,000 worldwide owners of the familiar Beetle and sporty Karmann-Ghia, including 175,000 in the U.S., went registered letters recalling models produced between last Aug. 1 and mid-January. During that time, Volkswagen switched over to new, permanently lubricated ball joints that connect the front wheels to the suspension system and allow them to turn. Unfortunately, the plastic sealing rings designed to keep the lubricant in and moisture out were not up to the task, giving the steering and suspension assembly the mechanical equivalent of an arthritic knee. Though no accidents were reported, corrosion in the ball joints could lead first to a pained wail of steel on steel and eventually to loose wheels and a front-end shimmy. Now worn joints will be replaced and tougher sealing rings installed, at Volkswagen's expense.

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