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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Chico, CA
Posts: 42
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small weld on lower ball joint??? someone said I need it!
I heard the other day that it is a good idea to put about 2 1" welds on the press in type ball joints to hold it in place, I kinda thought the guy that told me that was nuts, or is that actually a good idea?
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1972 chevy C/10, with factory air, SWB, 350,700r4, lowered 3 and 5. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 2,489
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Not a good idea unless the hole for the ball joint is worn. If thats the case get another control arm. If you can't get another control arm a few small tacks would be the thing to do.
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Slippery Rock PA USA
Posts: 1,692
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..can't say i ever heard that one..but if the hole in your a-arm was wore enough so the press in ball joint was lose i would replace the a-arm not hope a couple of tac welds would hold it..but if it was tight i don't see how it would help or hurt
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Ken Lyons, Slippery rock pa 68 short step 327 t10 4 gear 72 2wd blazer project 70 lwb 305/700r driver 78 caprice project 02 cavalier D.D ( hate it!!) |
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#4 | |
Half a bubble off!
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Winfield, Ks, USA
Posts: 5,588
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Quote:
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Just call me LB. ![]() '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads. |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Gulfport Ms
Posts: 401
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I had the same problem a few years ago and am surprised that it has not appeared
sooner on the list. I would hit a pothole or run off the edge of the road and the truck would start pulling to the right or left. When I hit the next pothole or ran off the road again it would straighten up. I took it to be alligned and the tech showed me the problem: The hole was worn and the ball joint shaft would cock itself against the hole in the a-arm and throw itself out of line until it was struck again and would fall back in place. He recommended that I find another a-arm or tack it in place. I did this and the alignment was fine. It is a one time fix and if the ball joint goes bad another a-arm is needed. It worked fine for a few years and the ball joint went bad. I knew it would and had found a spare a-arm that I stuck back for when I would need it. The problem is easy to detect: Jack the truck up by the end of the a-arm. If the ball joint slides through the hole then you have a problem. It may not cock to the side as mine did but as it wears more it probably will. EdB |
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#6 |
Watch out for your cornhole !
![]() Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Azle, Texas
Posts: 14,162
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I agree with Ed on this. It's a good one time fix. A quality ball joint will last a long time so, if it was me, I'd do it before replacing the arm. Make sure and not get it too hot with the welds though.
Besides, the lower ball joint is in tension. It can't actually fall out of the arm, just bounce around in the hole.
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I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin |
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#7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Loveland Co.
Posts: 3,098
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I've had good luck with the control arm saver ball joints that some of the parts stores sell if you can't come up with a control arm right away. The ball joints have teeth all around the area where they press into the control arm. They are a pain in the butt to get in though.
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Chris 74 Custom Deluxe SWB 350/350/3.73’s 99 2wd Silverado RCSB 5.3/4L60/3.90’s http://www.classictrucks.com/feature...short_bed.html |
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#8 |
love my truck
Join Date: May 2001
Location: aylmer QC
Posts: 648
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one of mine is spot-welded. no trubles.
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: rock island,il,usa
Posts: 5,382
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the balljoints are a tight press in the lower arms on my longhorn......still, they are tack welded in place, to be sure that there is no problem(angles are a little "goofy" on a cut coil drop). The old truck has been that way for about 10 yrs now.....& it still works
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: columbus,ohio
Posts: 201
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they do it all the time on round track cars,wont hert a thing
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#11 |
blood type; Retumbo
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: next to my reloading bench
Posts: 10,269
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both of mine are welded. I have done this with a lot of customers vehicles also. I just dont trust the press fit when safety is at stake. this is re-doable next time too. just cut the weld with a cut-off wheel.
69longhorh, I did the same thing but went a step further & reshaped the arms where the ball joints are to get the joint centered in its arc of travel.
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Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card |
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