Why do they do it?
 

On my 72, some previous owner, there have been at least 2, cut off the bump stops on the lower control arms. The truck wasn't lowered or anything but...?

So my wife wanted disk brakes on her 69 GMC. At picknpull we find a 72 donor. I get both the spindles and lower control arms. when I was seperating the various parts I find:
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-S.../P82424700.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b.../P82424801.jpg

After carefully grinding out the welds with a die grinder I press out the ball joints. They were still quite snug in their bores but someone had tacked them in...WHY?
I just don't get it!

OK, rant over.

Re: Why do they do it?
 

tack welding ower ball joints is and was a very common practice by some mechanics. especially on trucks that were commonly used as work vehicles and rough usage situations

Re: Why do they do it?
 

Years ago I took my 69 Chevelle for an inspection and they noticed the lower ball joint loose in the control arm. Said it was common so they tack welded it back in place.

I've never had any other cars/trucks with that problem since though.

Re: Why do they do it?
 

Those balljoints are pressed in and as already mentioned there hvae been cases where the ball joint has popped out specially in the lower control arm so people did this to ensure that they would not pop off.

Re: Why do they do it?
 

OK, so that explains the ball joints. But why cut off the bump stops if not lowering the truck?

Re: Why do they do it?
 

if you overload it on a regular basis, this would make it ride a tic better when loaded like that

Re: Why do they do it?
 

When I had the front end rebuilt on my 75 Chevelle, the control arm shaft nuts were welded on. I guess its something people do.

Re: Why do they do it?
 

My 75 GMC Sprint had the same thing. Never knew why.

Re: Why do they do it?
 

Something missing.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5.../P94783900.jpg