Powder coat for lower control arms - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 10-18-2018, 02:00 PM

I'm having the lower control arms added with the next batch for powder coat (pictured). I've seen some seal off the surface for the coil spring. Why is that? I spoke to a guy who builds these trucks and he says it's unnecessary.

Also, should the hole where the ball joint inserts be taped off? Have you experienced a problem installing lower ball joints when the holes are powder coated? I'll ask they tape of the threads for the control arm shaft.

Other than that, I think everything else here is A-OK for powder coat. I'll ask they not powder the mounting surface of the pumpkin cover. Apparently you have to ask, because they coated the surface on the axle (yikes) and I had to strip it. Strikes me the spindles would be fine, so long as the threads and spindle itself are protected. I'm assuming the mounting surfaces are OK to coat. Thanks for any input.

beaterku · 10-18-2018, 02:34 PM

When I had mine powder coated, they covered the lower ball joint area and the threaded portion where the cross shafts go. No problems with assembly on my end. If the spring rubs the coating off during operation, that's how it goes I suppose.

Leonard1 · 10-18-2018, 02:38 PM

I consider myself an amateur powder coater, but I've done my fair share of parts over the last decade or so. I've never masked the spring pocket off, and I don't see a reason to. Now the ball joint seat will need to be masked, or the powder filed back out of it before the joint is installed.

**HO455** · 10-18-2018, 10:05 PM

Definitely mask the ball joint holes. Its much easier than scraping the power coating off. Spring pockets, nope you have no way of knowing exactly where the spring will sit. So might as well let it wear in naturally.

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 10-18-2018, 10:24 PM

Appreciate the advise, thank you

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 10-27-2018, 12:18 AM

Picked up the stuff today. These parts, shift linkage, pumpkin cover and U-bolt plates blasted and powder coated for $300. Can't beat it, and they do excellent work.

Less a coil spring compressor that's too expensive, but oh well, and a ball joint installer, I finally have what's needed to install the suspension.

The owner says BS, you can powder coat the surface on the axle for the pumpkin cover. He says it's an improved seal, and he coats them for axle shops all the time. Difference of opinions I guess. The shop that rebuilt my axle said remove it, so I did.

10-18-2018, 02:00 PM	#1
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,295	Powder coat for lower control arms I'm having the lower control arms added with the next batch for powder coat (pictured). I've seen some seal off the surface for the coil spring. Why is that? I spoke to a guy who builds these trucks and he says it's unnecessary. Also, should the hole where the ball joint inserts be taped off? Have you experienced a problem installing lower ball joints when the holes are powder coated? I'll ask they tape of the threads for the control arm shaft. Other than that, I think everything else here is A-OK for powder coat. I'll ask they not powder the mounting surface of the pumpkin cover. Apparently you have to ask, because they coated the surface on the axle (yikes) and I had to strip it. Strikes me the spindles would be fine, so long as the threads and spindle itself are protected. I'm assuming the mounting surfaces are OK to coat. Thanks for any input. Attached Images __________________ Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025

10-18-2018, 02:34 PM	#2
beaterku Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Lenexa, KS Posts: 547	Re: Powder coat for lower control arms When I had mine powder coated, they covered the lower ball joint area and the threaded portion where the cross shafts go. No problems with assembly on my end. If the spring rubs the coating off during operation, that's how it goes I suppose. Attached Images __________________ www.rustywrenches.com My 72 SWB build My YouTube channel Last edited by beaterku; 10-19-2018 at 07:35 AM.

10-18-2018, 02:38 PM	#3
Leonard1 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Paducah, Ky Posts: 393	Re: Powder coat for lower control arms I consider myself an amateur powder coater, but I've done my fair share of parts over the last decade or so. I've never masked the spring pocket off, and I don't see a reason to. Now the ball joint seat will need to be masked, or the powder filed back out of it before the joint is installed.

10-18-2018, 10:05 PM	#4
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 11,284	Re: Powder coat for lower control arms Definitely mask the ball joint holes. Its much easier than scraping the power coating off. Spring pockets, nope you have no way of knowing exactly where the spring will sit. So might as well let it wear in naturally. __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban (the WMB),1988 S10 Blazer (the Stink10 II),1969 GTO (the Goat), 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford OHC six 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird (the DBP Bird). 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377

10-18-2018, 10:24 PM	#5
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,295	Re: Powder coat for lower control arms Appreciate the advise, thank you __________________ Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025

10-27-2018, 12:18 AM	#6
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,295	Re: Powder coat for lower control arms Picked up the stuff today. These parts, shift linkage, pumpkin cover and U-bolt plates blasted and powder coated for $300. Can't beat it, and they do excellent work. Less a coil spring compressor that's too expensive, but oh well, and a ball joint installer, I finally have what's needed to install the suspension. The owner says BS, you can powder coat the surface on the axle for the pumpkin cover. He says it's an improved seal, and he coats them for axle shops all the time. Difference of opinions I guess. The shop that rebuilt my axle said remove it, so I did. Attached Images __________________ Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025

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