Lower Ball Joint installation

[DorianB]

Seems like this was the weekend for brakes for lots of folks

I am trying to put 72 spindles and disc brakes on my 68.

We've ran into the problem of the ball joints not seating completely into the spindle and the cheapest solution seems to be to pick up some 1972 ball joints and use those.

This seems to require grinding off the top four rivets holding the upper ball joint on, and then getting the bottom ball joint pressed out by someone.

My question is will the new 1972 ball joints (From LMC likely) be able to be pressed into the 1968 A arms without an issue?

[lolife99]

Yes,... the 71-72 spindles will work in your '68 a-arms.
You are going to have to convert your outer tie rods also.

It would have been a bolt-on swap to use 63-70 disc brake conversion spindles.

[DorianB]

Ugg, I only measured the length of the tie rod, I didn't take into account the diameter of where it attaches to the spindle! Grrrr

[DorianB]

So for the tie rods, would it be easier and cleaner to just go ahead and buy new 71-72 inner and outer and adjuster sleeve than try and mess with mixing and matching tie rod parts from the old 68 setup?

I'm not opposed to replacing the 40 yer old parts.

[tex_waco_usmc]

Originally Posted by DorianB

So for the tie rods, would it be easier and cleaner to just go ahead and buy new 71-72 inner and outer and adjuster sleeve than try and mess with mixing and matching tie rod parts from the old 68 setup?

I'm not opposed to replacing the 40 yer old parts.

If your not opposed to using new parts then I would just replace everything. Upper and lower ball joints, and complete tie rods! At the end of the day it makes me feel a little more comfortable knowing that everything is new in the steering department!

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by DorianB

So for the tie rods, would it be easier and cleaner to just go ahead and buy new 71-72 inner and outer and adjuster sleeve than try and mess with mixing and matching tie rod parts from the old 68 setup?I'm not opposed to replacing the 40 yer old parts.

Yes it would be easier,... but you have to use the 71-72 centerlink.
I don't believe anyone sells them new.

Back to my earlier statement about using 63-70 conversions spindles.
You are falling into a "snowball effect" trying to convert to 71-72 spindles.

[DorianB]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Yes it would be easier,... but you have to use the 71-72 centerlink.
I don't believe anyone sells them new.

Back to my earlier statement about using 63-70 conversions spindles.
You are falling into a "snowball effect" trying to convert to 71-72 spindles.

Do you have a link to the 63-70 conversion spindles?
I've been looking for them but haven't found them other than big multi-hundred dollar kits.

[lolife99]

Originally Posted by DorianB

Do you have a link to the 63-70 conversion spindles?
I've been looking for them but haven't found them other than big multi-hundred dollar kits.

Everyone sells them.
CPP, McGaughy's, Belltech, Western Chassis.

This is a good source for them also:
http://www.performanceonline.com/196...dle-Set-16683/
Click the "drop down" box.
Part # DS6370
$228.99
They have them in standard height,... and 2.5" drop spindles.

[lolife99]

You still want to inspect all your front end parts,... but at least this way,... you can use all 1968 replacement parts.