Loose Ball Joint in lower A arm

[lsteiner72]

Hey Guys,

So last night started putting my a-arms back together, well after pressing in both bottom MOOG ball joints, I found one of them I can wiggle loose and actually out of the seated position easily by 1/4" I could actually probably work it out if I really tried.

Has anyone else ever experienced this? Any suggestions on a fix with the obvious one being getting a different lower A?

[ls1nova71]

There's no real way to fix that. You will need a new a arm.
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[ChevLoRay]

You didn't use an upper ball joint instead, did you? I don't know for sure that they are differently sized, but looking at my control arms as they laid on the floor....made me think (just now) that maybe there're slightly different in dimensions. I wish they lower ones bolted in like the uppers, but I think the weight of the front of the truck helps them to stay in place......based on how they mount.

[Indyuke]

This happens from time to time. So they make oversized ball joints, or ball joints with a knurl on them. Go about halfway down the first post on the link.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324144

[lsteiner72]

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

You didn't use an upper ball joint instead, did you? I don't know for sure that they are differently sized, but looking at my control arms as they laid on the floor....made me think (just now) that maybe there're slightly different in dimensions. I wish they lower ones bolted in like the uppers, but I think the weight of the front of the truck helps them to stay in place......based on how they mount.

no possible way of this, two totally diff. parts.

[lsteiner72]

Originally Posted by indyuke

this happens from time to time. So they make oversized ball joints, or ball joints with a knurl on them. Go about halfway down the first post on the link.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=324144

thanks, actually the MOOG ones are also serrated (knurled), looks like I'll have to find another lower A-arm

[1970 Bowtie]

As ChevLoRay said,I would think the weight of the truck should hold them in place,unless you plan on pulling the front wheels off the ground.If it were me I would weld a small bead around the hole and file it down if need be to get a tight fit.

[kwmech]

I've run into the same problem from time to time. Once in a hurry and the hole was on the edge of being tight, I just tack welded the joint in 3 places. Drove it like that for about 7 years until I sold it

[ChevLoRay]

Originally Posted by kwmech

I've run into the same problem from time to time. Once in a hurry and the hole was on the edge of being tight, I just tack welded the joint in 3 places. Drove it like that for about 7 years until I sold it

Would really cheeze-off the next guy who expected to replace ball joints and had to put control arms in it...

[ajstager]

Sounds like the Janky Monster has been crawling around your garage at night... or a past owner was driving your truck around and only doing left turns.. lol

[Tx Firefighter]

A couple of good tack welds will hold it fine. The weight of the truck tends to keep the ball joint seated in the arm.

[cparman]

I have done like TX FIREFIGHTER has done before, but there is an option. MOOG, NAPA and others make an oversized balljoint to correct this. Here is a part # for a 1972 Chevy C-10 lower ball joint, that is described as " oversized "
MRC 104112

The two or three tac welds will work damn fine

[DHPmike]

also using an air hammer on the flange on the lower arm before installing the balljoint will tighten the flange up. I also suggest the oversize ones..