Replace ball joints ???
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
Replace ball joints ???
Both my C3s "wander" left and right while going straight down the road.
I do not know that either has ever had new ball joints. They still have rivets, so I am betting they are original.
Is there a "tech paper" on this forum giving a step / step procedure for replacing these? I "searched" but did not see one. Thanks for any help. I am pretty sure I need to replace upper and lower on both cars....especially the BB...it's out of control over about 60mph!
I do not know that either has ever had new ball joints. They still have rivets, so I am betting they are original.
Is there a "tech paper" on this forum giving a step / step procedure for replacing these? I "searched" but did not see one. Thanks for any help. I am pretty sure I need to replace upper and lower on both cars....especially the BB...it's out of control over about 60mph!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Sounds like you need an alignment. How's the tire wear? I don't think ball joints would cause that, though not positive. How are the control arm bushings? If those are shot, or worse, gone, that will cause wandering.
You have a mechanic you trust?
When it's in the shop, stay and watch. Ask the alignment tech to check the ball joints while you're there.
Glenn
You have a mechanic you trust?
When it's in the shop, stay and watch. Ask the alignment tech to check the ball joints while you're there.
Glenn
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Do a search on "balljoint" or better yet "bushings", because you may as well do these while your at it. Good time to also cut your front coils if your front is sitting slightly too high for your tastes.
My car drove pretty decent, but had some bump steer, more than I would have expected. Turns out my lower balljoints were about as loose as they could get. Youll see once you get them out.
Buy all MOOG components, unless you go poly bushings, then get Energy Suspension poly, but MOOG everything else.
Its hard to keep these projects from creeping into something more than you originally started out to do.
Fan shrouds may come into play in order to get the upper control arms out. Cant get mine back in, so Im going electric with a spreader bar
Good luck, Brent......
My car drove pretty decent, but had some bump steer, more than I would have expected. Turns out my lower balljoints were about as loose as they could get. Youll see once you get them out.
Buy all MOOG components, unless you go poly bushings, then get Energy Suspension poly, but MOOG everything else.
Its hard to keep these projects from creeping into something more than you originally started out to do.
Fan shrouds may come into play in order to get the upper control arms out. Cant get mine back in, so Im going electric with a spreader bar
Good luck, Brent......
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 214
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore MD
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 2
From: Nixa Missouri
Both my C3s "wander" left and right while going straight down the road.
I do not know that either has ever had new ball joints. They still have rivets, so I am betting they are original.
Is there a "tech paper" on this forum giving a step / step procedure for replacing these? I "searched" but did not see one. Thanks for any help. I am pretty sure I need to replace upper and lower on both cars....especially the BB...it's out of control over about 60mph!
I do not know that either has ever had new ball joints. They still have rivets, so I am betting they are original.
Is there a "tech paper" on this forum giving a step / step procedure for replacing these? I "searched" but did not see one. Thanks for any help. I am pretty sure I need to replace upper and lower on both cars....especially the BB...it's out of control over about 60mph!
Look above on the tool bar and click on Other. Then click on Tech Tips then click on C3. Theres a write up named Front Suspension Rebuild lessons learned. It might help you with some questions.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,000
Likes: 1
From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
I got the Van Steel DVD, which was fully worth the $25 + shipping. It has great methodology for getting the front suspension apart.
Have fun...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,154
Likes: 3,959
From: Connecticut, USA
wander could be in the box, alignment, worn suspension and steering parts. If you have a GOOD alignement shop have them check the frotn and parts. If they are worn they'll know and you can then address the problem.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,920
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
If you do buy ball joints, it's a good idea to buy only Moog. There have been several threads on the forum about defective ball joints that fail after only a few hundred miles. You can always depend on Moog.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
1) Buy Moog.
2) "Pickle forks" are useless garbage. Get the correct tool to pop the ball joints and tie rod ends loose.
2) "Pickle forks" are useless garbage. Get the correct tool to pop the ball joints and tie rod ends loose.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 62
From: West Kingston RI
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,042
Likes: 1
From: Greensboro NC
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
a worn out steering box can cause the problem...I think someone mentioned it above...but the rag joint too.
You can check the ball joints. Jack the car up, tire off the ground. Grab the tire top and bottom and rock the tire/wheel assembly vertically in toward the car. if you have a lot of play the ball joints are worn. How many miles? If they are original they are probably worn.
Just to be sure, do a body off restoration and redo the entire chassis including front and rear suspension. Knock yourself out on the poly bushings, but I'd research it and be sure that is really the route you want to go.
You can check the ball joints. Jack the car up, tire off the ground. Grab the tire top and bottom and rock the tire/wheel assembly vertically in toward the car. if you have a lot of play the ball joints are worn. How many miles? If they are original they are probably worn.
Just to be sure, do a body off restoration and redo the entire chassis including front and rear suspension. Knock yourself out on the poly bushings, but I'd research it and be sure that is really the route you want to go.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
