5/16" bolt in a 3/8" hole for upper ball joints? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 02-25-2019, 11:41 PM

71 C-10

Just getting ready to install the upper ball joints when I noticed the Moog parts uses 5/16" bolts.

The old rivets were 3/8". The A-arms are a tight 3/8", they were powder coated. It wouldn't take much to drive a 3/8" bolt. That said the ball joint plates won't take a 3/8" bolt. So by using 5/16" bolts there's some slop in the A-arm.

Maybe it doesn't matter, thanks to a nut and cotter pin? Heck I don't know

Is this common? are they the wrong ball joints? Install as-is works fine?Thanks.

02-25-2019, 11:41 PM	#1
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,205	5/16" bolt in a 3/8" hole for upper ball joints? 71 C-10 Just getting ready to install the upper ball joints when I noticed the Moog parts uses 5/16" bolts. The old rivets were 3/8". The A-arms are a tight 3/8", they were powder coated. It wouldn't take much to drive a 3/8" bolt. That said the ball joint plates won't take a 3/8" bolt. So by using 5/16" bolts there's some slop in the A-arm. Maybe it doesn't matter, thanks to a nut and cotter pin? Heck I don't know Is this common? are they the wrong ball joints? Install as-is works fine?Thanks. __________________ 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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