Lower Ball Joint Falls Out - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jmlcolorado · 09-05-2011, 07:52 PM

Okay guys, Im working on a 68 C10. I bought new ball joints for a 73 C10 and just picked up a full set of spindles, rotors from a 79 C10 at the scrap yard.
I installed the new ball joints in the 68's factory a arms and all seemed well.
It took a press and some effort to press out the old ball joints but the drivers side lower joint went back in with ease.
Problem is, once i installed the spindle, the lower ball joint fell out of the lower a arm. I tightened the ball joints nut on top but it still falls out of the a arm. Im gonna go out on a limb and assume this isnt normal?!

Passenger side is in nice and tight as it should be. The way this thing falls out, one would figure it would have a snap ring on the top of the a arm installed to keep this from happening when driving.
Anyone ever experienced this?

**lolife99** · 09-05-2011, 08:00 PM

Replace the a-arm.
Something is wrong.
They should press in and stay.
Posted via Mobile Device

jmlcolorado · 09-05-2011, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lolife99

Replace the a-arm.
Something is wrong.
They should press in and stay.
Posted via Mobile Device

Damn. I was afraid someone was gonna say that

cdowns · 09-05-2011, 08:14 PM

no need to replace control arms just get the oversized balljoints at your local autoparts store

dyrt · 09-05-2011, 08:24 PM

this problem is common enough that there is a moog problem solver part for it. Like cdowns said, you should be able to get an oversized lbj from the parts store.

ChevLoRay · 09-05-2011, 08:32 PM

....which leads me to say that an old mechanic buddy said he's seen more than one of them welded-in.

jmlcolorado · 09-05-2011, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

no need to replace control arms just get the oversized balljoints at your local autoparts store

How much over sized are they? I would only need a couple thousandths of an inch max.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChevLoRay

....which leads me to say that an old mechanic buddy said he's seen more than one of them welded-in.

That was going to be my next question. Would a tack weld suffice? With spring tension down and tire pressure up, i wouldn't figure it would need to be fully welded.

EDIT:
Well as it turns out, all i needed was the phrase "oversized balljoint" to be able to search for the answer.

I have never heard of such a thing so i didnt know to search for it.
Thanks for the help guys!

09-05-2011, 07:52 PM	#1
jmlcolorado Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Elbert county, CO Posts: 249	Lower Ball Joint Falls Out Okay guys, Im working on a 68 C10. I bought new ball joints for a 73 C10 and just picked up a full set of spindles, rotors from a 79 C10 at the scrap yard. I installed the new ball joints in the 68's factory a arms and all seemed well. It took a press and some effort to press out the old ball joints but the drivers side lower joint went back in with ease. Problem is, once i installed the spindle, the lower ball joint fell out of the lower a arm. I tightened the ball joints nut on top but it still falls out of the a arm. Im gonna go out on a limb and assume this isnt normal?! Passenger side is in nice and tight as it should be. The way this thing falls out, one would figure it would have a snap ring on the top of the a arm installed to keep this from happening when driving. Anyone ever experienced this?

09-05-2011, 08:00 PM	#2
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,701	Re: Lower Ball Joint Falls Out Replace the a-arm. Something is wrong. They should press in and stay. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823

09-05-2011, 08:14 PM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Lower Ball Joint Falls Out no need to replace control arms just get the oversized balljoints at your local autoparts store __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

09-05-2011, 08:24 PM	#5
dyrt Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Yardville, NJ Posts: 144	Re: Lower Ball Joint Falls Out this problem is common enough that there is a moog problem solver part for it. Like cdowns said, you should be able to get an oversized lbj from the parts store.

09-05-2011, 08:32 PM	#6
ChevLoRay Old Skool Club Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Benton, AR "The Heart of Arkansas" Posts: 10,880	Re: Lower Ball Joint Falls Out ....which leads me to say that an old mechanic buddy said he's seen more than one of them welded-in. __________________ Member Nr. 2770 '96 GMC Sportside; 4.3/SLT - Daily driven....constantly needs washed. '69 C-10 SWB; 350/TH400 - in limbo The older I get, the better I was.



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