Confused on ball joint reinforcement?

[66 C30]

I recently acquired an 84(I think) chevy C30 to use the front end off of. The drivers side lower control arm has some sort of plate on the bottom bolted on. The plate appears to hold the ball joint with a U bolt. I cannot find anything on this, and the other side doesn't have this part. It doesn't look like a homemade fix as the plate is fairly thick and appears to be cast. I'm thinking maybe it's a standard option on heavier trucks, C60, etc.., but can't find information on them either. Just wondering if anyone could maybe help identify this part. Thanks for the info.

[old Rusty C10]

can you take a pic?

[66 C30]

I can't until the weekend. It's been cold enough working outside, led alone taking pictures.

[66 C30]

I got the pictures..It's snowing outside, but you can see it.


Here's what the other side looks like

[ont_guy_38]

I would say it's a exhaust clamp somebody has put on there. Doubt it's factory or any kind of aftermarket reinforcement product.

[old Rusty C10]

ive never seen anything like that and tend to agree with ont guy 38

[66 C30]

That's what I thought too, but it is one whole piece except the u bolt. The plate with the bolts holding it on is cast with the solid part of the u bolt.

[66 C30]

I went out and took it apart for you guys..
The bottom

and side that was against the control arm

[MalibuSSwagon]

Yea thats a weird little part. It does look like an exhaust clamp tho haha.

Is it really already snowing there?

[66 C30]

Yep, it's been snowing since about 9:00 here.

[LONGHAIR]

"standard option" is an oxymoron

It's either "standard" or "optional"

That being said, that is one odd looking thing. It does appear to be some kind of "manufactured" unit? Seems funny that someone would put that on one side and not the other, unless it is intended as some kind of "fix". Was the joint loose in the arm after you removed the clamp? Is it the same joint as the other side?

[ont_guy_38]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

"standard option" is an oxymoron

It's either "standard" or "optional"

That being said, that is one odd looking thing. It does appear to be some kind of "manufactured" unit? Seems funny that someone would put that on one side and not the other, unless it is intended as some kind of "fix". Was the joint loose in the arm after you removed the clamp? Is it the same joint as the other side?

Certainly does look like a manufactured piece seeing it off.

[rusty76]

To me and my humble computer it looks like there are two different ball joints. But I can't tell. Backs or bottoms look different to me. It would be interesting to know what this piece is though.

[kelsfine69]

I wonder if it could be a " GM Bulletin fix" for a worn hole that GM issued instead of replacing the whole A-arm? Just a thought? Or an after market fix?. I have never seen that?

[Keith Seymore]

I seem to remember that this was a service fix for a product recall, addressing control arm cracking around the ball joint.

K

[old Rusty C10]

thanks you for the reply Keith I knew if anyone would know you would

[odee]

I've got an 86 gmc one ton with the same thing. First thought it was a backyard fix thing until we looked closer at the bolt holes

[INSIDIOUS '86]

On the first picture to the left of the ball joint I can see a fat weld bead. They prob repaired a crack the strengthened the area with that piece