Lower Ball Joint - Do I have the Wrong One??

[C10agent]

Hey guys,
I just replaced the passenger side drop spring and I am was putting everything back together and noticed that the nut tightens farther than the pin. Do I have the wrong lower ball joint in?? The PO has a washer in between the spindle and nut on the upper ball joint, does that matter?

[ksbrktracer]

Seen lots of them with a washer between spindle and nut .... shouldnt be any problem no further than it extends thru if it is tightening up alright .

[Highlander72]

Could be that the taper in your spindle is worn (maybe had a loose ball joint previously). Does the ball joint taper tighten up snugly in the spindle (as in in-out movement)?

[19673ontree]

Ktracer I like that avatar and I find it odd , because almost all of the classic car chevy guys will throw out a ford joke , and the ford guys will throw out a chevy joke , but nobody ever even mentions that dodge and plymouth vehicles exist LOL good job !

[steelhorse]

A washer should be fine. A lot of newer cars use them for the same thing.

[LockDoc]

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I would say that something is wrong. No way the stud should pull in that far. I think you have the wrong ball joint.

Posted by member "Bus Ted Knuckle"

For 1/2 ton:

67-70 are same uppers and lowers.

71-72 are the same, they are different than 67-70 (the older ones have smaller diameter studs in the ball joints).

71-72 spindles will work on 67-70 control arms, you must use the newer ball joints, and the complete newer tie rod. Any year ball joints will fit in any year a arms, upper and lower. You will also have to trim the steering stop on the disc brake spindles. you can also use 73-87 spindles, but you must also use the newer BJ, and TR.

For 3/4 ton, someone else will have to chime in
__________________

LockDoc

[kwmech]

Quite common, just make sure that the washer is hardened such as a grade 8 flat. Although you may want to make sure that the ball joint was not misboxed. The taper between 70 and before and 71 to newer were a different degree of taper. That could cause the same thing

[tcoop68]

I could not trust it I would recheck .

[C10agent]

Thanks for all the info guys. I am trying to find some washers to fit, looks to be 5/8", does that sound right? I went to lowes and couldn't find what I was looking for. I would replace but they are in great shape and replacing is a pain in the arse. Any ideas where to find them??

[ksbrktracer]

Originally Posted by C10agent

Thanks for all the info guys. I am trying to find some washers to fit, looks to be 5/8", does that sound right? I went to lowes and couldn't find what I was looking for. I would replace but they are in great shape and replacing is a pain in the arse. Any ideas where to find them??

Fastenal might be a good choice if you have any close by. I couldnt find any that fit snug enough on the stud so I made some myself by enlarging the hole to the size I needed. My Local Ace Hardware sells thick AN washers that are Grade 8. Sometimes looking at Metric will get you a washer that fits properly. I hate washers that are drilled 2-3 sizes oversize.

This is the closest I saw to you.

FASTENAL
41212 Park 290 Dr
Waller, TX 77484 (20.3MI from Navasota) (936) 372-1134

[C10agent]

Nobody hang me but is a lock washer a bad idea?

[ksbrktracer]

Originally Posted by C10agent

Nobody hang me but is a lock washer a bad idea?

I personally wouldnt , will chew up the spindle to start with.

[elf w/capital T]

Originally Posted by ksbrktracer

I personally wouldnt , will chew up the spindle to start with.

Yeah, use a normal flat washer