Restoring control arms
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 54
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From: Plainfield IL
Restoring control arms
I'm in the process of restoring control arms for a 65 and a 66. The two seem to be identical except for the shaft. It is my understanding that late 66 they changed the upper control arm shaft from square to round but that is the only difference in 64-67 upper control arms and the lower were unchanged from 64-67. (Meanwhile 63 is in its own little world for uppers and lowers.) So the question is, when I send these out for coating, it doesn't really matter which set I use because only the shaft difference matters? There are not dates or part number changes that would make it incorrect?
And when I finally put the bushings and ball joints back in what is the best set I can use to still be correct? I've heard that the reproduction ball joints are junk. I've also been told that NCRS is "forgiving" on the ball joint these days as long as it is a correct riveted ball joint.
My desire is to keep my car as correct as possible, but I don't have the time or money right now to make it 100% correct from top to bottom. Those of you that have been down this road know more than I do about it, so that's why I ask. Thanks for your help.
And when I finally put the bushings and ball joints back in what is the best set I can use to still be correct? I've heard that the reproduction ball joints are junk. I've also been told that NCRS is "forgiving" on the ball joint these days as long as it is a correct riveted ball joint.
My desire is to keep my car as correct as possible, but I don't have the time or money right now to make it 100% correct from top to bottom. Those of you that have been down this road know more than I do about it, so that's why I ask. Thanks for your help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,582
Likes: 150
From: York PA
You probably saw this article before Jeremy but just in case here you go:
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech...rticles/c2/77/
I do not know if these are good ball joints or not. Believe Bair's advertises selling
American ball joints and bearings for quality reasons. Let me know or post as I have to complete updates on the 67 as well.
Chick
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/tech...rticles/c2/77/
I do not know if these are good ball joints or not. Believe Bair's advertises selling
American ball joints and bearings for quality reasons. Let me know or post as I have to complete updates on the 67 as well.Chick
Drifting
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 28
From: CA central coast
I can't give a direct answer, but I keep a list of vendors offering services of interest (it's not kept up to date, though), and I record Corvette tidbits now & then for future reference.
Last I'd heard, there were no aftermarket ball joints that look exactly like the original, and GM has stopped producing the service ball joints for midyears. Here is a vendor I found today that claims to offer reproduction ball joints, but I can't vouch for their originality:
http://shrunklink.com/brey
I think the control arms are pretty identical from '63 to at least '77 and probably to '82. When I was working on my '63 I replaced mine with a set from, I think, a '68, that looked exactly the same to me, but I'm not an NCRS judge, either, and I didn't look for markings.
In my notes, I have a vendor listed (Gary) who offered A-arm restoration services; 815-234-4380
And another who used to do riveting of the ball joints (and probably sells ball joints as well): http://www.bairs.com
However, their website doesn't currently show that service.
Perhaps by contacting those vendors, you could get answers to your questions about ball joints and A-arms.
Last I'd heard, there were no aftermarket ball joints that look exactly like the original, and GM has stopped producing the service ball joints for midyears. Here is a vendor I found today that claims to offer reproduction ball joints, but I can't vouch for their originality:
http://shrunklink.com/brey
I think the control arms are pretty identical from '63 to at least '77 and probably to '82. When I was working on my '63 I replaced mine with a set from, I think, a '68, that looked exactly the same to me, but I'm not an NCRS judge, either, and I didn't look for markings.
In my notes, I have a vendor listed (Gary) who offered A-arm restoration services; 815-234-4380
And another who used to do riveting of the ball joints (and probably sells ball joints as well): http://www.bairs.com
However, their website doesn't currently show that service.
Perhaps by contacting those vendors, you could get answers to your questions about ball joints and A-arms.
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 54
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From: Plainfield IL
Well, it appears as though 815 234-4380 is now the Byron Illinois Public Works fax line. . .
There seem to be a number of places that offer rebuilding services, or even just to rivet in the ball joints, but most seem to be afraid to state what is NCRS "approved" because they've probably had their fair share of complaints and issues with customers. One of these vendors did mention the same thing that ball joints aren't judged because there is no good replacement available (but that just doesn't seem right to me). I saw that Zip has "correct" ball joints in their catalog, but I'm afraid that these will be the infamous junk foreign joints people have fretted about.
There seem to be a number of places that offer rebuilding services, or even just to rivet in the ball joints, but most seem to be afraid to state what is NCRS "approved" because they've probably had their fair share of complaints and issues with customers. One of these vendors did mention the same thing that ball joints aren't judged because there is no good replacement available (but that just doesn't seem right to me). I saw that Zip has "correct" ball joints in their catalog, but I'm afraid that these will be the infamous junk foreign joints people have fretted about.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,808
Likes: 28
From: CA central coast
815-234-4340
business name is VTECH, in Stillman Valley IL 61084 (Gary)
But, I made the note in 2003, so may or may not be valid.
Another place I'd ask about ball joints would be
Long Island Corvette Supply http://www.licorvette.com
since they specialize in midyear parts
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,853
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I'm doing a 63 right now for NCRS. I have a picture of an original 63 ball joint, next to a NOS, and the current reproduction correct (imported).
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...s=ball%20joint
The 1963 Ball joint's had hash marks in the top of them, I've not seen any other year use this joint. The 1964 and newer cars seem to use the ball joints with the dimples in the head. The current correct reproduction (did I say Imported) ball joints do have these marks, as for the quality I can not say.
I do carry the Moog, (Federal Mogul usa made ball joints) in stock and I do have a picture of them at this link. http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=17408
Willcox
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...s=ball%20joint
The 1963 Ball joint's had hash marks in the top of them, I've not seen any other year use this joint. The 1964 and newer cars seem to use the ball joints with the dimples in the head. The current correct reproduction (did I say Imported) ball joints do have these marks, as for the quality I can not say.
I do carry the Moog, (Federal Mogul usa made ball joints) in stock and I do have a picture of them at this link. http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=17408
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Feb 16, 2009 at 09:34 PM.
