upper balljoint taper , Norval?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
upper balljoint taper , Norval?
I remember when Norval tried the monoball upper ball joint. Did that have a different taper than the stock ball joint? Norval, did you have to ream a different taper or just a different diameter in the spindle?
I'm not going with a monoball but I noticed that Howe Racing has 4 bolt and 3 bolt style ball joints in their 'precision' line. I imagine the taper or size is different in some way between all the part numbers.
I'm not going with a monoball but I noticed that Howe Racing has 4 bolt and 3 bolt style ball joints in their 'precision' line. I imagine the taper or size is different in some way between all the part numbers.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
the 3 bolt howe one is the same balljoint that savitske sells, they are a direct replacement for the stock one. The 4 bolt mini balljoint only fits on upper control arms drilled for the 4 hole pattern and it too is a direct fit on the spindle. I don't remember what the inclination was, something like 1,5" per foot or so.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Twin Turbo ended up with mine. I did have to redrill a new bolt pattern at the time. The taper in the spindle is the same just the bolt pattern in the upper A arm was different.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
I'm looking at the Howe joints and they have taller studs up to +0.5" from stock but not in the 3 bolt configuration for our stock arms. I was wondering if the taper was similar for some of the other applications they list.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Yeh, I got to looking at a parts house stack once, for a longer stud Bjoint and found basically nothing....4 bolts for about 3/8 to 1/2 inch height differance due to longer stud...
not worth it...
GENE
not worth it...
GENE
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
If you run soft springs and the designed travel of 7 inches at the wheel you will find the stud ball joints run into joint bind before going through this range of motion. The angle of the stud ball joint is just not large enough.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
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
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
If you run soft springs and the designed travel of 7 inches at the wheel you will find the stud ball joints run into joint bind before going through this range of motion. The angle of the stud ball joint is just not large enough.
Do you know if some of the other more common racing ball joints used (such as from 2nd gen Camaros or trucks) have the same taper? Norval, do you remember what application that 4 bolt mono-ball was intended? I see that Allstar/Lane automotive lists a large GM and a Mid-size GM mono-ball.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
Originally Posted by burners
I'm looking at the Howe joints and they have taller studs up to +0.5" from stock but not in the 3 bolt configuration for our stock arms. I was wondering if the taper was similar for some of the other applications they list.
they have the 3 bolt ones in .5 longer also, you can get them through savitske or straight from them. A guy here in NL bought them through savitske ( http://www.scandc.com ) and good ole Grutzy ordered those also.
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 592
Likes: 4
From: Denmark
Not to highjack the thread, but could i just ask if there is any significant difference between the ball joints available with the 3 bolt pattern?
I got the jim meyers tubular arms which are drilled for the 3 bolts ones and i want to get the best ball joints available when i finally get to install them.
Thx
I got the jim meyers tubular arms which are drilled for the 3 bolts ones and i want to get the best ball joints available when i finally get to install them.
Thx
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,000
Likes: 22
From: Boulder Creek California
I'll also go ahead and hijack. Are there any good options to replace our spindles short of custom making something? I'm sure you guys have thought of this before but it would be nice to upgrade to something lighter and taller. Are there any racing series that use uprights that would fit our needs? I am thinking of making my own control arms and it would be convenient to use a more popular upright type and have easily available balljoints. Would I be better off starting from scratch? I know nothing about putting together a bearing package, but I guess it's time to learn...
-Chris
-Chris
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
StingrayDK, there is no difference in the 3 bolt designs other than the Howe ball joint. They offer longer studs but they don't actually have those studs in stock. I talked to them and they said they just don't have the demand to justify building them.
LiveandLetDrive, I have given thought to a fabricated spindle but haven't taken any action on it. I think you could make a lot of improvements in many areas. The problem I've seen with most racing spindles is their use of oddball (for street a car) hubs. Also, most spindles are circle track types and they are asymmetrical because the cars are only turning left. So that wouldn't work for us.
LiveandLetDrive, I have given thought to a fabricated spindle but haven't taken any action on it. I think you could make a lot of improvements in many areas. The problem I've seen with most racing spindles is their use of oddball (for street a car) hubs. Also, most spindles are circle track types and they are asymmetrical because the cars are only turning left. So that wouldn't work for us.
