Lower ball joint problem on new arms

[donthekawguy]

Ok first problem with putting the 65 back together. I ordered a set of tubular control arms from Partsgeek that have 73-80 ball joints installed already. I also ordered a set of CPP 2 inch spindles from CJ Pony parts. I didnt noticed and didnt know that the ball joints are different between the 6-66 and the 73-80. So now I have found that the lower ball joint shaft won't fit into the hole on the spindle. Not sure if its the taper or the shaft size but I guess it doesnt matter. My question is this-is the diameter of where the ball joint fits into the control are the same between the 60-66 and the 73-80? If they are I can just get a set of lower joints and swap them out. If not it'll suck because I'll have to get a new set of spindles and my wife will not be happy about that! lol Heres a pic of the frame to show the progress.

[dmjlambert]

I believe you need the ball joints that are for the year of your spindles. But we don't know what year the spindles are really for. Your spindles may be "conversion" spindles that work with ball joints for your original year truck. The tie rod connections at the spindles may be the smaller pre-1971 size on a conversion spindle as well. I think you need to read the specs on the spindles and see if they are conversion spindles or contact tech support if available. I don't know much about CPP. Others more knowledgeable than me will probably chime in. Here is a great guide from lolife99, I recommend give it a read because the answer may be in there: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

[lolife99]

All 63-87 c10 balljoints will interchange with other years arms.
(Only the c20/c30 trucks have a different size balljoint hole in the lower arm.
Uppers are all the same as far as balljoints go.)
You need to figure out what year spindles you have.
Part number?
Everything needs to match the year of spindle you are using.
Balljoints AND outer tie rods.
Take your spindles to the parts store.
Use them
To match up the correct year balljoints and outer tie rods.
If they aren’t 73-87, they will be 60-62, 63-70, or 71-72.

[raggedjim]

this might help, good luck, Rg

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...30&postcount=4

[verdell]

Originally Posted by raggedjim

this might help, good luck, Rg

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...30&postcount=4

100% agree...I want to put discs on the front of my '66 project and have a pair of old disc brake spindles that have been laying around the garage for years. The problem was I had no idea what the spindles came off of. I used this information to identify them as '71-'72s. Ordered upper/lower ball joints, inner/outer tie rod ends and conversion adjuster sleeves and I'm good to go.

[SCOTI]

The CPP spindle.... Is it a stock replacement type or the 'Modular' drop spindle?

[donthekawguy]

I reread the listing and it looks like the spindles are for the 65 ball joints. Now I'm hoping the 65 BJ will fit in the control arm. lol I believe they are the same OD so it should be ok. As soon as I get the spindles and brakes on I'll start ordering steering parts. The tie rods will be easy but I'll have to do research on the pitman arm. I still haven't decided on what steering box I'm using yet but that's a ways off. BTW, I putting a 6.0 in from a 2005 GMC 2500 so a power steering pump will probably be a problem also. lol I'm ordering ball joints tonight and will update later in the week when I have a chance to work on it. The bummer about this is that I have to take the lower arms off to swap out the ball joints, but I guess it could be worse. The last disc conversion I did on my 66 was in a gravel driveway so at least I have a shop now.

[dmjlambert]

Why do you have to take the control arms off just to change the ball joints?

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

Why do you have to take the control arms off just to change the ball joints?

From my experiences, it does make it easier to press them in.

[donthekawguy]

Originally Posted by dmjlambert

Why do you have to take the control arms off just to change the ball joints?

The frame is sitting so low on the dollies that I cant get the tool and my impact under to push the ball joint out. I'm thinking ill jack it all up and give that a shot before taking the arm off.