1972 Ball Joints

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Apr 28, 2015 | 10:07 PM

Rowdy Rat

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1972 Ball Joints

For those of you with ORIGINALS, UNRESTORED 1972 Corvettes (and I know that there are a few of you out there), what is the configuration of the studs on your ball joints?

Early cars are OK, but I am particularly interested in late 1972 Corvettes and what those ball joints look like.

Regards,

Stan Falenski

Apr 29, 2015 | 01:57 PM

Rowdy Rat

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From: PA

Oh come on now... I know that there are at least two of you out there with original cars... Probably a few others too!

Regards,

Stan

Apr 29, 2015 | 04:43 PM

mortgageguy

Burning Brakes

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From: Spartanburg SC

Stan, I have a very late 72. One of the last 300 made. Original front suspension, which means it will be rebuilt in the next year. I might can help, but, I don't really understand your question. Can you be more specific? I'm leaving the house soon, for a few hours, so it may be later before I can respond.

Apr 29, 2015 | 06:33 PM

62corvette

Le Mans Master

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From: Waterford WI

FWIW--rowdy rat knows a WHOLE lot about these cars. I'm guessing he's trying to determine whether or not GM changed a configuration in those later in 72.

Apr 29, 2015 | 09:30 PM

1974ta

Melting Slicks

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From: Damascus MD

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62corvette

FWIW--rowdy rat knows a WHOLE lot about these cars. I'm guessing he's trying to determine whether or not GM changed a configuration in those later in 72.

Yep

Apr 29, 2015 | 11:05 PM

Rowdy Rat

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From: PA

Yes, that's it exactly.

I've heard that the configuration changed at some point during the 1972 model year, but it is strictly hearsay at this point.

I'm hoping that we can get some good examples in order to draw some educated conclusions.

Regards,

Stan

Apr 30, 2015 | 12:40 AM

Don Rickles

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2018 Corvette of Year Finalist

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowdy Rat

Oh come on now... I know that there are at least two of you out there with original cars... Probably a few others too!

Regards,

Stan

Just caught this post! I'll see what I can do for you in the morning.

Apr 30, 2015 | 08:43 AM

Rowdy Rat

Thread Starter

Safety Car

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From: PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by War Bonnet

Just caught this post! I'll see what I can do for you in the morning.

Thanks Kevin... I was hoping that you would see this!

Regards,

Stan

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Apr 30, 2015 | 08:57 AM

toylman

Burning Brakes

Joined: Dec 2006

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From: Bethlehem, PA

Stan, Not exactly what you want. Taken from car 10596, Jan 1972, documented 27K mi, still dirty as I have not had time to clean yet. Lenny

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowdy Rat

Apr 30, 2015 | 10:44 AM

#10

Rowdy Rat

Thread Starter

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From: PA

Lenny,

I appreciate your response, thank you!

It is a bit early, but any data point is helpful. It is a bit difficult to see though... Any chance you could clean off the stud end by the nut?

Thanks again for your help!

Regards,

Stan

Apr 30, 2015 | 08:13 PM

#11

Don Rickles

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Hi Stan,

Hope this helps.
5/10/72 build

Apr 30, 2015 | 08:31 PM

#12

Rowdy Rat

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Safety Car

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From: PA

Thanks Kevin... That's great!

Regards,

Stan

May 2, 2015 | 07:54 AM

#13

toylman

Burning Brakes

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From: Bethlehem, PA

Cleaned up

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rowdy Rat

May 2, 2015 | 08:15 AM

#14

Don Rickles

Race Director

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2017 C3 of Year

Quote:

Originally Posted by toylman

Cleaned up

Stan, have you noticed a configuration change?

May 2, 2015 | 09:04 AM

#15

toylman

Burning Brakes

Joined: Dec 2006

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From: Bethlehem, PA

Hi Kevin, Seeing your picture I'd say that Stan got confirmation that sometime after Jan the stud diameter was stepped down/reduced at the end of the stud as shown by your picture. My Jan '72 has similar ball joints to my Jan '70.

Quote:

Originally Posted by War Bonnet

Stan, have you noticed a configuration change?

May 2, 2015 | 09:18 AM

#16

Alan 71

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 31,267

Likes: 4,362

From: Westminster Maryland

Hi,
The original lower ball joint studs on my mid January 71 have the 'step-down'.
The tip on this one is 'flared' out a little from removing it.
Regards,
Alan

May 6, 2015 | 08:49 AM

#17

Rowdy Rat

Thread Starter

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From: PA

Thanks for the feedback guys!

Based upon what has been posted here as well as information received from other sources, it appears that the configuration of the ball joints remained pretty much the same from 1968 through 1972 (the model years I am most interested in). There was a change in how the cotter pin was installed which happened during the 1972 model year, but that's about it.

Thanks again to those who posted and/or contacted me!

Regards,

Stan

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