lower ball joint help, plz

[faribran]

i have a 67 C-10, i am putting lowering spindles on. i had some spindles that were ordered for 71-72, and decided to use them... i used 71-72 lower ball joints.... my concern is when i started to bolt everything together, the bottom of the spindle lacks about 3/8 in touching the top of the grease boot..

i have verified with spindle mfg, and with the NAPA supplier of the ball joint.. all appears to be correct.

this just does not look correct to me.... my other stock trucks have the lower part of the spindle pressing on the grease boot..... i will try to post up pics later.
Any suggestions? anyone else ran into this?

[faribran]

Ttt

[lolife99]

Your outer tie rods will have to be for a 71-72 truck also.
(which will also be a bigger diameter than your inner tie rods)
Do you still have your old '67 lower ball joint?
Sounds like the spindle or the ball joint is incorrect.

[PBFAB.COM]

If you could post up a pic, it would be helpful. As Lolife mentioned, it sounds like something fishy going on!

[lolife99]

I used 71-72 spindle on my '69 disc brake swap,... because I got them cheap at a swap meet.
Believe me,... it would have been cheaper to order the 65-70 "conversion" spindles and not change everything else.
(as in,... inner tie rods, conversion tie rod sleeves, outer tie rods, upper and lower balljoints)

[faribran]

Keith, i had read that about the need to change the tie rods etc....and was expecting to do that.... i think you are correct.. i think i will order the 67-70 spindles.... and not have to change all the other stuff.. i understand there is a billet tie rod adjustment sleeve available.....
yes, i do still have the 67 lower ball joint...

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by faribran

Keith, i had read that about the need to change the tie rods etc....and was expecting to do that.... i think you are correct.. i think i will order the 67-70 spindles.... and not have to change all the other stuff.. i understand there is a billet tie rod adjustment sleeve available.....
yes, i do still have the 67 lower ball joint...

I would fit your old 67 balljoijnt in your new spindles.
Maybe they sent you the wrong spindle.
(you might have a set of conversion spindles already)
I would check the fit of your 67 outer tie rod to the new spindle also.

Seems like CPP did this recently to another member.

[faribran]

thanks for the input guys.... i will take a look at the original ball joints.... the truck was all original... i went to the dealer with my dad to pick it up new.(little tot)
there has to be a simple answer for this.. i have contacted the vendor... from what we can determine these are the correct 71-72 spindles.
i hope to get a pic loaded up soon.
thanks

[faribran]

here is what it looks like

[faribran]

Ttt

[lolife99]

I'm not sure now.
The taper fits the spindle and the cotter pin hole lines up in the castle nut.
The 63-70 balljoint should be a FA481.
The 71-87 balljoint should be a FA1014.

The balljoint boot does look kinda short.

[faribran]

i was hoping you were looking... i just posted this...

[faribran]

i am using Spicer ball joints....... my Napa guy verified this is the 71-72

[faribran]

i know if i were using the 67-68 ball joint the threaded end would be short

[lolife99]

If these are truely 71-72 spindles, (which I think they are now), your '67 stock outer tie rods should not fit.

[faribran]

you are correct the stock tie rod end does NOT fit....

[lolife99]

Now you need:
1) Either complete 71-72 steering linkage
2) Complete 73-87 steering linkage
or

3)'65-70 outer tie rods (LH thread) in the inner tie rod location.
71-72 outer tie rods (RH thread)
Conversion tie rod sleeves (connects 5/8" inners to 11/16" outers)

Piece of cake,...

[faribran]

but......... but..... first.. i need to solve the lower ball joint hurdle............. help...!
any ideas?

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by faribran

but......... but..... first.. i need to solve the lower ball joint hurdle............. help...!
any ideas?

I think it will be fine.
Assemble it and look at it with the spring fully compressed and the truck on the ground.