Ball joint questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

abadsvt · 01-07-2007, 12:17 AM

I decide to use my stock spindel that came on my truck rather than my drop spindel i bought. The problem is i bought the ball joints that came with my control arms are for a 70 c10 and they don't fit my old stock spindels. I went down and bought a set of 73 ball joints that fit. I don't know what spindels i have. I wanted to make sure that i got the right ball joints. Is 71-72 ball joints different? My 70 ball joints were too big. Also is there a trick to getting the lower ball joint out of the control arm? I read some where about renting a tool from kragens or something? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Josh

68C15 · 01-07-2007, 09:11 AM

disc brake ball joints are different than drum ones. they have longer studs for the lowers. IIRC the uppers are the same for both.

the lowers are pressed in and sometimes people weld a small bead as extra insurance. are the arms removed? if so I would save the hassle and take them to a machine shop. otherwise you can get a ball joint press pretty cheap from places like harbor freight. they look like a big C clamp and come with a bunch of adapters all in a plastic case.
http://search.harborfreight.com/cpis...oint&Submit=Go
as an example

abadsvt · 01-07-2007, 12:45 PM

The control arms are off. How hard are the lower ball joints to remove? So does that tool from Harbor frieght works good? Thanks for the help!

Josh

PanelDeland · 01-07-2007, 01:33 PM

If they are already off save yourself the trouble(Unless you plan on doing a lot of spindles).The machine shop should do them for about $10.00 a piece and you probably can't rent a press for that.Call to check i think that was what they cost me but it's been a few years.

dingo_dan_22 · 01-07-2007, 01:34 PM

The Ball Joint remover works great. I just redid my entire front suspension a few days ago. If you put the control arm in a vise it's much easier. It's also nice to have an extra set of hands because the ball joint remover I used was in four pieces and it can be quite a handful to get it lined up.

I attatched a photo of the tool.

I used 71 ball joints and they work just fine with my belltech drop spindles.

jp-n-mallory71 · 01-07-2007, 11:58 PM

i had the same problem when i bought the cheap balljoints from orielys for the 71 model spindel the 73 and up balljoint fit but i knew my spindel was a 71. then when i tried the trw brand balljoint for the 71 spindel from advance auto parts they fit perfect.i dont know what balljoints you bought but you can't go wrong with either getting a trw or moog balljoints they cost more but a way better part

good luck

01-07-2007, 12:17 AM	#1
abadsvt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Atascadero, CA Posts: 1,152	Ball joint questions I decide to use my stock spindel that came on my truck rather than my drop spindel i bought. The problem is i bought the ball joints that came with my control arms are for a 70 c10 and they don't fit my old stock spindels. I went down and bought a set of 73 ball joints that fit. I don't know what spindels i have. I wanted to make sure that i got the right ball joints. Is 71-72 ball joints different? My 70 ball joints were too big. Also is there a trick to getting the lower ball joint out of the control arm? I read some where about renting a tool from kragens or something? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Josh __________________ (Project truck) 1970 C10 under complete transformation My current build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=212871 Other project: C5 corvette swap into 70 c10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post2413517 On Hold

01-07-2007, 09:11 AM	#2
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	Re: Ball joint questions disc brake ball joints are different than drum ones. they have longer studs for the lowers. IIRC the uppers are the same for both. the lowers are pressed in and sometimes people weld a small bead as extra insurance. are the arms removed? if so I would save the hassle and take them to a machine shop. otherwise you can get a ball joint press pretty cheap from places like harbor freight. they look like a big C clamp and come with a bunch of adapters all in a plastic case. http://search.harborfreight.com/cpis...oint&Submit=Go as an example Last edited by 68C15; 01-07-2007 at 09:13 AM.

01-07-2007, 12:45 PM	#3
abadsvt Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Atascadero, CA Posts: 1,152	Re: Ball joint questions The control arms are off. How hard are the lower ball joints to remove? So does that tool from Harbor frieght works good? Thanks for the help! Josh __________________ (Project truck) 1970 C10 under complete transformation My current build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=212871 Other project: C5 corvette swap into 70 c10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post2413517 On Hold Last edited by abadsvt; 01-07-2007 at 12:48 PM.

01-07-2007, 01:33 PM	#4
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Ball joint questions If they are already off save yourself the trouble(Unless you plan on doing a lot of spindles).The machine shop should do them for about $10.00 a piece and you probably can't rent a press for that.Call to check i think that was what they cost me but it's been a few years. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

01-07-2007, 01:34 PM	#5
dingo_dan_22 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 119	Re: Ball joint questions The Ball Joint remover works great. I just redid my entire front suspension a few days ago. If you put the control arm in a vise it's much easier. It's also nice to have an extra set of hands because the ball joint remover I used was in four pieces and it can be quite a handful to get it lined up. I attatched a photo of the tool. I used 71 ball joints and they work just fine with my belltech drop spindles. Attached Images __________________ 71' Chevrolet -> 350c.i. w/ 600 Edelbrock Carb, Headers, P/S, 3/5 Drop

01-07-2007, 11:58 PM	#6
jp-n-mallory71 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: san marcos tx. Posts: 38	Re: Ball joint questions i had the same problem when i bought the cheap balljoints from orielys for the 71 model spindel the 73 and up balljoint fit but i knew my spindel was a 71. then when i tried the trw brand balljoint for the 71 spindel from advance auto parts they fit perfect.i dont know what balljoints you bought but you can't go wrong with either getting a trw or moog balljoints they cost more but a way better part good luck



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