lower ball joints, 1978 corvette
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2014
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lower ball joints, 1978 corvette
I just got my lower control arms back from the powder coater and found the new lower ball joints do not line up to mount the bolts that go through the side, they are aftermarket ball joints, has anyone else had this problem or did I just buy cheep ball joints.
Thanks for the help
What I mean is the side winges do not line up , they are about 3/16 " off of center forward , so the arms that bolt to the side extend to far into the frame.
Thanks for all the response
Thanks for the help
What I mean is the side winges do not line up , they are about 3/16 " off of center forward , so the arms that bolt to the side extend to far into the frame.
Thanks for all the response
Last edited by genep; Mar 29, 2014 at 11:40 AM. Reason: not clear
Drifting
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,432
Likes: 22
From: Oxford CT
I just got my lower control arms back from the powder coater and found the new lower ball joints do not line up to mount the bolts that go through the side, they are aftermarket ball joints, has anyone else had this problem or did I just buy cheep ball joints.
Thanks for the help
Thanks for the help
The old joints had the same issue requiring some grinding of the ears to fit. After talking to my alignment guy I purchased joints from NAPA ( best ones ) which drop right in and usa made. Side by side with the old ones the machining quality looks much better.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
That's interesting about the NAPA joints fitting. I've heard several times that the control arms tend to be deformed from setting the rivets. I know some people have "straightened" the control arms to make the ball joints fit. Some have "enlarged" the holes.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: Castle Rock CO
The ball joints should be able to drill out or grind off the rivets then use the bolts to mount them back in. I would not use local auto parts stores and buy them online. I bought a front end kit for my 1977 and the alignment shop was able to cut out the old ones and use the parts I supplied to them to install both the upper and lower ball joints without any cutting or hassle at all.
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1963-1982.html
http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1963-1982.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 28
From: Burkburnett TX
As mentioned above, sometimes the arms are bent during riveting, or during the drilling process, or maybe just from years of usage. I am sure that some just fall into place. Mine did not and they were Federal Moguls from an online parts kit. Next time I do mine, I will use MOOG ball joints from the parts store though. Only took 45 seconds or less to enlarge the holes and everything bolted in just fine after that.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 40
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New problem, Trying to replace the transmission lines , up by the radiator thought someone cut the lines and put in rubber hoses, but it seems that they are supposed to be there, anyone know where I can get the replacement hoses.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,062
Likes: 28
From: Burkburnett TX
Buy it by the foot from the parts store. They have big rolls to cut it from. Use new clamps and make sure they are on correctly. This isn't an easy place to work and I can tell you firsthand how much fluid and how fast it will come out of one of those hoses if they pop off.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
I would spend the few bucks it costs to get the proper fittings. They have a bulge near the end. You push the rubber hose past the bulge and put the hose clamp on the line past the bulge so that the hose won't be blown off by the pressure.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,520
Likes: 11
From: Hinckley OH
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2014
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tranny lines
Buy it by the foot from the parts store. They have big rolls to cut it from. Use new clamps and make sure they are on correctly. This isn't an easy place to work and I can tell you firsthand how much fluid and how fast it will come out of one of those hoses if they pop off.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2014
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Yes , the new lines have a flair on each end, I have 2 long lines and 2 short lines , that is what made me think the rubber or hydraulic hose is supposed to be there, thanks for the help