When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I feel stupid asking this but something doesn't look right. Anytime I've replaced an upper ball joint in other vehicles the ball joint is tight in the control arm and the bolts hold it in place. So after I removed my old ball joints I went to put the new ones in and they just drop in with a 1/4 inch gap all the way around. What am I missing? This can't be right. This is ACDelco part number 88876957.
What looks upside down? The ball joint? I think this ball joint is way too small. Do Z51 cars use a different size ball joint?
Hello, It might be the way the photo looks. I'm sure you would know if you took the old ones off. You could be right wrong part but I don't see the rubber bushing. Was there one on the old ball joints? Just trying to help!
Hello, It might be the way the photo looks. I'm sure you would know if you took the old ones off. You could be right wrong part but I don't see the rubber bushing. Was there one on the old ball joints? Just trying to help!
It has the rubber boot on it from ACDelco. I see why you asked now if it was upside down. The control arm is off the car. So in the pic it kind of looks like I put it in upside down. That's kind of funny.
I feel stupid asking this but something doesn't look right. Anytime I've replaced an upper ball joint in other vehicles the ball joint is tight in the control arm and the bolts hold it in place. So after I removed my old ball joints I went to put the new ones in and they just drop in with a 1/4 inch gap all the way around. What am I missing? This can't be right. This is ACDelco part number 88876957.
Looks ball joint upside down position wise in control arm to me, checked my 85 which still has the original upper ball joints and rivets.
I would get some bigger grade 8 bolts that fit correctly, have heard others had similar issues with bolts to small.
Last edited by gerardvg; Jan 15, 2021 at 01:09 AM.
Looks ball joint upside down position wise in control arm to me, checked my 85 which still has the original upper ball joints and rivets.
I would get some bigger grade 8 bolts that fit correctly, have heard others had similar issues with bolts to small.
Hello, Looking at your pictures the nut and washer area should have a rubber spacer or bushing so everything fits tight. Some ball joints have a kotter pin that keeps the nut from turning loose. I have a 1987 Corvette with the original ball joints all I do is grease them because there is a small grease fitting on top. If you have the old ball joints check them to see if they are exactly the same and you might look if there is a rubber spacer by the nut and washer. If its in good shape you might be able to reuse it on your new ball joints. I like your car I saw it in the pictures! I have a picture of my 1987 Corvette located on a thread about silver Corvettes! Good luck!
That is 100% incorrect fitment. Looks like they sent the wrong part, regardless of what the box says. Either that or the Advantage line is spec'd incorrect. Yours looks like they took a lower joint, and slapped it in an upper mount plate.
There are different AC Delco ball joints for our cars, the cheap ones, the Advantage line at around $15ea, like what you got, going by the part number. The Professional level ones from AC Delco, are around $55ea. That is what ChumpVette was referring to. I don't know if the cheap ones are good or not, but given the price, I'm leaning towards not good.
That is 100% incorrect fitment. Looks like they sent the wrong part, regardless of what the box says. Either that or the Advantage line is spec'd incorrect. Yours looks like they took a lower joint, and slapped it in an upper mount plate.
There are different AC Delco ball joints for our cars, the cheap ones, the Advantage line at around $15ea, like what you got, going by the part number. The Professional level ones from AC Delco, are around $55ea. That is what ChumpVette was referring to. I don't know if the cheap ones are good or not, but given the price, I'm leaning towards not good.
I'm so confused on this whole thing. I watched a few videos of people installing upper ball joints in C4's. They all where loose and just dropped in. They had less "wiggle" then mine but still weren't pressed in at all. So I took the control arm with the ball joint to my local Monroe. My friend is the manager there. He told me they see this all the time. They told me it wouldn't be an issue because the upper ball joint is not pressed in so it makes no difference how much gap there is.
Yeah, there will always be a gap, but I can't say I've seen one that big. I guess it'll be ok, it's not going to break, but still does not seem correct to me.
Yeah, there will always be a gap, but I can't say I've seen one that big. I guess it'll be ok, it's not going to break, but still does not seem correct to me.
That was my thought too. That it just didn't look right. Now one thing my friend said was that these ball joints didn't come with a backing plate. This is to prevent the bolts from digging into the aluminum when tight. So I'll have to make one.
That was my thought too. That it just didn't look right. Now one thing my friend said was that these ball joints didn't come with a backing plate. This is to prevent the bolts from digging into the aluminum when tight. So I'll have to make one.
The benefits of going with the cheapest part.
The Professional line version (88911440) is the better kit, with a higher quality joint as well. And as you see, has a backing plate that keeps the bolts/nuts from digger into the arm.
With that said, I don't use GM parts for the upper. I prefer the Moog joint up top. And the Delco on the lower joint.
Hello, I never replaced mine but was looking at them closely today. The part they gave you looks like the right part but maybe if you compare the old ones there is a difference. I always had trouble some times replacing ball joints and you have rivets holding them on that must be drilled out too. Tie rods are easier to do for me. Most of my car is 80% original except for the engine rebuild I just did myself. I checked my tie rods and ball joints and they are good. Like you said the part dont fit as good as the originals so I guess you could try to find a better part. I did notice that there is no rubber spacer it just fits through the hub spindle nut, washer, kotter pin. Have you tried to finish and drive the car yet? I was wondering how the new ball joints would work. Good luck!
Hello, I never replaced mine but was looking at them closely today. The part they gave you looks like the right part but maybe if you compare the old ones there is a difference. I always had trouble some times replacing ball joints and you have rivets holding them on that must be drilled out too. Tie rods are easier to do for me. Most of my car is 80% original except for the engine rebuild I just did myself. I checked my tie rods and ball joints and they are good. Like you said the part dont fit as good as the originals so I guess you could try to find a better part. I did notice that there is no rubber spacer it just fits through the hub spindle nut, washer, kotter pin. Have you tried to finish and drive the car yet? I was wondering how the new ball joints would work. Good luck!
It'll be a while before I get to drive the car. I have to finish the front coil overs and the 4L80e swap. Hopefully by April.
That is 100% incorrect fitment. Looks like they sent the wrong part, regardless of what the box says. Either that or the Advantage line is spec'd incorrect. Yours looks like they took a lower joint, and slapped it in an upper mount plate.
There are different AC Delco ball joints for our cars, the cheap ones, the Advantage line at around $15ea, like what you got, going by the part number. The Professional level ones from AC Delco, are around $55ea. That is what ChumpVette was referring to. I don't know if the cheap ones are good or not, but given the price, I'm leaning towards not good.
Hello, I hope your car turns out good in April! Good luck to you! This is my 1987 Corvette. The light in my garage is not good but you can see its in good condition. I found this car on Ebay for 6,500.
Hello, I can see a better fit and if I replace mine I will buy moog! I have used Moog before on my cars years ago and they are real good parts! Good luck with your Corvette!
Upper ball joint problems
