Balljoint loose in lower control arm-now what?

[Slonaker]

I found out what has been making a popping sound in my front end tonight. The balljoint in the LCA, which is supposed to be pressed in, is loose enought to pop in and out. I have not removed it completely, but I can't see any damage to the balljoint. I am assuming that the problem is with the LCA. I really don't want to replace the LCA if I can avoid it. The balljoint and the bushings only have about 15K miles on them, so it isn't as though they needed replacing anyway.

My neighbor, who used to own a frontend shop, said they used to tack weld them into place when one would show up at the shop like this. I hate doing half-a$$ed repairs like that, but short of replacing everything and paying for a new alignment ($$), that's the best suggestion I have heard so far. That would at least give me time to gather up the parts to do the job right, and have it ready to go in the next time the truck is due for an alignment.

Is anyone aware of another fix for this?

Slonaker

[Rc 415]

There are oversized ball joints you can buy for the lowers, for situations just like this, I'll get you the link.

[Rc 415]

Here it is, I checked them out while I was replacing all my ball joints this week, I didnt get them because I do not have the problem you are describing, but they should work for you.
http://www.partsamerica.com/productd...ype=66&PTSet=A

[jkaylor68gmc]

That is a solution but I know many people who tack weld those anyway, just for safety. Tack welding them a little around the bottom is never a bad idea! Also some people use loctite around the edges before the pop them in, anything is better than simply popping them in.

[benoit454]

Hmm I never knew you could do that. We replaced the upper and lower balljoints on the passenger side of the 76 we had, never done anything else to them, just beat the bottom one in and left it alone.


Just and FYI, partsamerica is advanced auto, so you could pick it up from them in your local store.

[jkaylor68gmc]

Sure can. Dude your avatar is awesome, dang al dang ol avatar, awesome man.

[Slonaker]

I checked, and my local Autozone stocks it for $12.99. I don't like shopping there, but it is nice being able to verify something is in stock over the website...

I decided to tack weld in in place despite my poor welding skills. It was really tough to get in there, plus it is upside down and dark! It was just about to rain, and super humid, so my hood was fogging up. I tried to use a light to see better, but it made my hood autodarken. Those were some of the ugliest and most poorly placed birdpoop welds I have ever made.

I jacked it up by the LCA, and the ball joint stayed put. If it comes loose, I'll clean it up and buy the oversized balljoint this weekend.

Thanks for the help, guys...

Slonaker

[benoit454]

Yea autozone has em cheap I checked on all that stuff before.

Thing is I think they may be different part numbers for them because the oversized listed one seemed a bit high in price to me. So maybe the cheapo's are stock and expensive is oversized?




and thanks, alot of people said I talk real fast sometimes so it's like being boomhauer lol. I seen a guy on another forum have the same avatar but had a chevy shirt on him, I should steal it, and also seen another guy with one of hank and another of dale LOL.

[Slonaker]

Autozone has it listed as oversized, with the same part number as in Rc 415's link, for $12.99 on their website. Part # FA3001.

Slonaker

[jkaylor68gmc]

glad you fixed it. Simple welds are always just a little safety procaution ya know. Keep an eye on it. Whe you have a nice day, clean it up and give it some good welds.