Do these cotter pins look right to you

[jrigheimer]

Seems like there's no reason for castle bolts. There are new ball joints and a new ece drop spindles. Should the cotter pins go through the castle bolt or is it fine?

[chewychevy67]

No way id drive it like that. They should go through the castle nut. That is how they are designed.

[el_guapo]

Originally Posted by chewychevy67

No way id drive it like that. They should go through the castle nut. That is how they are designed.

Bingo, really the cotter is a safety/ but eff driving like that

[jrigheimer]

Why are the nuts so lower, is because I torqued them when the were jacked up

[jrigheimer]

If the nut is lining up with the castle nut. Then there is a big gap between the spindle and ball joint?

[jrigheimer]

is it possible to put washers on, or drill a new how for the pins, because the spindles a perfect where there are

[FirstOwner69]

Originally Posted by jrigheimer

Why are the nuts so lower, is because I torqued them when the were jacked up

No. I'd guess wrong ball joint.

[Johnny Merder]

It looks like you have the wrong ball joints for the spindle or the wrong spindle for your ball joints. There are three different ball joints from 63-73, and they all interchange and so do the spindles. I have access to all ball joints and spindles if you need any help, call me with your measurements. 812-631-1182.

Thanks

[Ol Blue K20]

X2 on the wrong ball joints

[Steve Cole]

Agreed, wrong ball joints for those spindles. When I bought my truck as a "project" the PO had installed all new steering and suspension components. The problem was my ball joints looked like yours. I knew it wasn't right and finally figured out he had put 71-72 ball joints and tie rod ends in 68 spindles. I replaced all that and now everything fits as it should. Those need to be replaced.. don't drive it until you do. Just my .02.

[blown32]

For sure the wrong ball joints! Don't drive it

[67ChevyRedneck]

Definitely the wrong ball joint/spindle combination. You need to find out for 100% sure which spindle you got - the 67-70 or 71/72. There should be a part number and you can call ECE and ask. Then when you find out which it is, purchase ball joints for that spindle, you'll either get 67-70 or 71/72.

I also keep my old castle nuts. I discovered on my 65 Mustang that the ball joints and tie rod ends, etc that I ordered were all correct and tight for wherever they were tying into, however, especially on the ball joints, the aftermarket castle nuts were 1/8" to 1/4" shorter than the old factory castle nuts causing the cotter pin to have nothing to go through. I reused the factory nuts and all was good.

Obviously not your situation here, however, the lower castle nut looks really small for a ball joint, looks more like a tie rod nut.

[boostedc10]

For sure wrong ones. Get the right ones and start over

[67ChevyRedneck]

Forgot to add... the outer tie rod ends are different as well (the one that connects to the spindle)... make sure you have the correct ones... again 67-70 and 71/72 for sizing.

[davepl]

Hey, I want to pile on too! Wrong ball joints! Keep in mind they changed in (1971?) and they are different C10/C20/etc.

[jrigheimer]

So what year ball joints do I need. Any have a link to a good source, I bought ones for a 72 obviously it's not correct

[67ChevyRedneck]

You need to look at the spindles and find a part number. Call ECE with that part number, tell them your problem, and verify that you have 67-70 spindles, otherwise you (and us) are just guessing.

[jrigheimer]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

You need to look at the spindles and find a part number. Call ECE with that part number, tell them your problem, and verify that you have 67-70 spindles, otherwise you (and us) are just guessing.

I called its a 70 spindle

[67ChevyRedneck]

Awesome! So now you know you have the wrong ball joints. You need ball joints (upper AND lower) AND OUTER tie rod ends for a 1967-1970 GM truck, assuming this is a C10 and not C20.

I have to ask... did you order the lowering kit or "buy it off some guy." I see that your truck is a 71/72 from your avatar pic and it doesn't make sense you have 67-70 spindles when you should have gotten 71/72. If ECE made the mistake, they should trade out the spindles for you.

[jrigheimer]

Thanks alot, would these tie rods work. http://m.summitracing.com/parts/mog-es350l. Just don't want to make the same mistake twice

[67ChevyRedneck]

Universal: No

Make: CHEVROLET

Model: C10 PICKUP

Beginning Year: 1965

Ending Year: 1970

Drivetrain: RWD

Tie Rod End Position: Left hand outer


Universal: No

Make: CHEVROLET

Model: C10 PICKUP

Beginning Year: 1965

Ending Year: 1970

Drivetrain: RWD

Tie Rod End Position: Right hand outer

According the their application listing... yes.

It looks like your truck is a 71/72, this gets a little screwy... if you want to replace your inner tie rod ends, you need to keep those 71/72 to match your 71/72 center drag link bar.

[jrigheimer]

Thanks for your help

[67ChevyRedneck]

No problem. I hope you can return the other ones. Ball joints used to be cheap, but they're gotten pretty expensive the past few years.

[jrigheimer]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

No problem. I hope you can return the other ones. Ball joints used to be cheap, but they're gotten pretty expensive the past few years.

last question i see why a need different ball joints, why do i need new outer tie rods

[71swb4x4]

Buy the ball joints locally. That way you can pull them out of the box and take a look at them, if they aren't right swap them right then and there for the right ones.