70 K15 lower ball joint- no snap ring? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Gator70 · 04-27-2016, 09:39 PM

I am replacing the BJ's in my 70K15. Removing the lower ball joints, they did not have snap rings holding them. The replacements are not long enough to have that snap ring engaged in the knuckle. Old and new BJ's show the same overall measurement on the mic. Am i good to install them without the snap ring? After opening the boxes, i see that one of them is splined. Is there a difference with the splined vs non-splined? It wont be a serious 4-wheel machine, but still want it to be right.

Any suggestions would be a help.

joeydurango · 04-27-2016, 10:47 PM

I just did ball joints in my '72 K10. Both the old and new had the snap rings. I guess the '70 knuckle could be different...

As long as the joints press into the knuckle firmly and you don't intend to spend much time with the wheels off the ground, I'd imagine it's okay?

70's luvr · 04-28-2016, 10:07 AM

My 1970 c20 didn't have snap rings and they were original.

04-27-2016, 09:39 PM	#1
Gator70 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Turner Valley, Alberta Posts: 91	70 K15 lower ball joint- no snap ring? I am replacing the BJ's in my 70K15. Removing the lower ball joints, they did not have snap rings holding them. The replacements are not long enough to have that snap ring engaged in the knuckle. Old and new BJ's show the same overall measurement on the mic. Am i good to install them without the snap ring? After opening the boxes, i see that one of them is splined. Is there a difference with the splined vs non-splined? It wont be a serious 4-wheel machine, but still want it to be right. Any suggestions would be a help. __________________ 1970 GMC K15 - Canadian built 2nd Owner truck 68k miles 2014 Denali 1500 6.2L

04-27-2016, 10:47 PM	#2
joeydurango Registered User Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Durango, CO Posts: 827	Re: 70 K15 lower ball joint- no snap ring? I just did ball joints in my '72 K10. Both the old and new had the snap rings. I guess the '70 knuckle could be different... As long as the joints press into the knuckle firmly and you don't intend to spend much time with the wheels off the ground, I'd imagine it's okay? __________________ 1972 K10 Cheyenne Super \| LWB, fleetside \| 350/350/205 \| KEEPER 1971 K10 Cheyenne \| SWB, fleetside \| LS Swap 5.3/4L60 \| SOLD 1976 Trans Am \| 400/4-spd \| SOLD 1976 Trans Am \| 455/4-spd \| TOTALED

04-28-2016, 10:07 AM	#3
70's luvr Registered User Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Spring Hill,Fl Posts: 223	Re: 70 K15 lower ball joint- no snap ring? My 1970 c20 didn't have snap rings and they were original.



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