Lower ball joint installation problems
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 1
From: New Carlisle, Ohio
Lower ball joint installation problems
I recently purchased some aftermarket ball joints to install on my 1985 lower a-arms. They were impossible to install, found out they were approximately .016 larger than the hole they were to go into.
When attempting to press them in, all they did was push the aluminum ahead of the ball joint , creating a ridge. Yes, they were lined up correctly.
So I got rid of the apparently too large aftermarket lower ball joints.
Purchased a set of MOOG lower ball joints, but they are the same diameter as the other aftermarket ones, approximately .016 larger than the hole. A call to MOOG in Michigan verified that these were the right part number, and indeed the right diameter on the ball joint.
What gives here, as the factory ball joints removed were only .005/.006 larger than the hole?
We have measured 2 other 1985 lower a-arms, they have the same hole diameter.
There is no forseeable way these can be installed with the screw type ball joint installation tool that others have used.
Has anyone else run into this? Was the hole enlarged in later years cars? Could you accurately measure the opening in a later C4 lower a-arm for comparison?
Thanks in advance for your help.
When attempting to press them in, all they did was push the aluminum ahead of the ball joint , creating a ridge. Yes, they were lined up correctly.
So I got rid of the apparently too large aftermarket lower ball joints.
Purchased a set of MOOG lower ball joints, but they are the same diameter as the other aftermarket ones, approximately .016 larger than the hole. A call to MOOG in Michigan verified that these were the right part number, and indeed the right diameter on the ball joint.
What gives here, as the factory ball joints removed were only .005/.006 larger than the hole?
We have measured 2 other 1985 lower a-arms, they have the same hole diameter.
There is no forseeable way these can be installed with the screw type ball joint installation tool that others have used.
Has anyone else run into this? Was the hole enlarged in later years cars? Could you accurately measure the opening in a later C4 lower a-arm for comparison?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
I bought lower ball joints for my '85 from Corvette Central. I did not measure, but they pressed in fine. I believe forum member centralcoaster had some issues with finding ball joints that fit his '85 (they were all way too big). Try a search and see if you come up with anything.
just before you press them in. 
