Help me make sense of this spindle/ball joint issue I have going on please..

[im4darush]

I ordered a lowering kit from western chassis with spindles. My truck is a 72 with original suspension. I took everything off and am replacing it all with 73+ stuff. Ordered all new 73+ control arms with ball joints. When I ordered the kit, I told them I needed 73+ spindles. Kit came in, box says 73-87 lowering spindles part number 13100. So that's good. I go to install the spindle and it will not go on the lower ball joint. Hole in the spindle is way too small. I try to set the spindle on my original 72 control arm, and it fits like a glove.
My understanding is that the 73+ ball joints are larger diameter. When I look at my new control arms as compared to my originals, they are in fact larger with a different taper. With that said, is it safe to assume western sent me the early spindles even though the box says 73+?

I called and explained, but the guy on the phone did not seem to understand, and kept saying they only have one type of spindle. Very frustrating.

[lolife99]

71-72 and 73-87 use the SAME lower balljoint.
(the uppers are different)
The 63-70 trucks use a different upper and lower balljoint.

It would have been easier to order all 71-72 parts EVEN if you are using 73-87 a-arms.
You will also need a 73-87 outer tie rod to work with a 73-87 spindle.

Sounds like your new a-arms have the wrong balljoints.
Western Chassis 13100 is definitely a 73-87 spindle

[im4darush]

I ordered 73+ lower control arms with ball joints already in them. They are much thicker than my original 72 ball joints. What ball joint did they send me?

[lolife99]

Sounds like you have 63-70 balljoints in the lower arms.
Do the new upper balljoints fit your new spindles?

[im4darush]

Upper ball joints fit perfect! Are the 63-70 lower ball joints thicker?

[Livrat]

To me it sounds like you ended up with 3/4 ton lower control arms and ball joints, Check and see if the diameter of the bottom round part of the 73 ball joint is a much larger diameter than your 72 control arm and balljoint

[im4darush]

Yes, much larger diameter than the original 72 ball joint.

Now the question becomes....Will the A-arm I have accept the correct ball joint? Trying to figure out if I should deal with sending these back and waiting for the correct part, or just getting the right ball joints into these arms.

[Livrat]

Unfortunately if that is indeed a 3/4 ton control arm the right ball joint for the spindle will just fall through the hole in the control arm, about the only options you have is get the correct control arm and ball joint, use your original control arm with a new correct ball joint, Or go have the spindle reamed out to fit the 3/4 ton ball joint.

[SCOTI]

Do the bushings in the 'new' arms match your old a-arms? 73-87 C10's used a different style of a-arm bushing (similar to cars) while the 3/4 - 1-ton trucks continued using the 6x-72 style HD bushings.

[Livrat]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Do the bushings in the 'new' arms match your old a-arms? 73-87 C10's used a different style of a-arm bushing (similar to cars) while the 3/4 - 1-ton trucks continued using the 6x-72 style HD bushings.

Good call on that one, I totally forgot that the 73-87 C20/30's still used the screw in steel inner bushings while the 73/87 C10's went to a press in rubber/steel bushing

[PGSigns]

Pictures may help solve this.
Jimmy

[im4darush]

I confirmed that the control arm I have is in fact for a 3/4 ton. It does not have the same ball joint as the original arm. The ball joint in the new control arm is a wider diameter.

I am interested to hear a bit more about reaming out the spindle to fit the larger ball joint. Is this a pretty common and easy task? And where would I go to get this done?

I can obviously send these back and buy the 1/2 ton control arms, but for some reason the 1/2 ton stuff is way more expensive, I have no idea why that is. Im looking at $150 for a 1/2 ton control arm with ball joint and cross shaft installed. I paid $68 for the 3/4 ton arms I have now. Go figure. So if reaming the hole in the spindle is easy enough, I would end up with a stronger ball joint for less money.

[Livrat]

Originally Posted by im4darush

I confirmed that the control arm I have is in fact for a 3/4 ton. It does not have the same ball joint as the original arm. The ball joint in the new control arm is a wider diameter.

I am interested to hear a bit more about reaming out the spindle to fit the larger ball joint. Is this a pretty common and easy task? And where would I go to get this done?

I can obviously send these back and buy the 1/2 ton control arms, but for some reason the 1/2 ton stuff is way more expensive, I have no idea why that is. Im looking at $150 for a 1/2 ton control arm with ball joint and cross shaft installed. I paid $68 for the 3/4 ton arms I have now. Go figure. So if reaming the hole in the spindle is easy enough, I would end up with a stronger ball joint for less money.

I can not say it is real common anymore,although it is an easy task, you just need to find a correct diameter/taper reamer, do some careful measurement and use either a good drill press or a milling machine.

[chevy_mike]

I for one vote to do it the right way and get the 1/2 ton arms. The next owner of your truck with GREATLY thank you when they don't have to figure out what cluster F#*& is going on when they have to replace parts.

[im4darush]

Probably right. I'll order the correct control arm.