Ball Joint Question
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 2
From: Simpsonville SC
Ball Joint Question
Im might powder coat both my cradles, A-Arms, ect. I was wondering if any one has removed all the ball joints and re installed them? I know the bushings and the ball joints cant take the heat during the curing time. So i would have to remove them. Im part of a powder coating business so this is one reason why I want to do it. Let me know your thoughts and any kind of information. Thank You!
Bryan
Bryan
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
You likely wouldn't hurt the metal parts but the baking would destroy the grease in them and destroy the rubber boot. They then won't last long without grease in them even if you install new boots.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 2
From: Simpsonville SC
Yeah that's why I was wondering if I press them out if I could press them back in without damaging them. But I did read some where that the ball joint itself can handle up to 800 degrees but the grease and boot couldn't. I just can't afford to replace all the ball joints.
Bryan
Bryan
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
I drilled holes in the caps on mine and added grease fittings. They were still good but the miles were getting high so I figured it's either that and try to keep them healthy or expect to be replacing them soon. You could try pulling the boots off and doing that to get grease back in them. The uppers take grease really well but the grease doesn't flow through the lower joints so you'd have to grease and work it in.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 4
I'm replacing all four ball joints on rear end. I've researched the possibility of heating the aluminum to help in the removal process. Everything I've read says not to heat the control arm. I'm not sure how hot the powder coating process gets but I'd be careful.
On the car, pressing the ball joints out is not an easy task. Shortly after I decided to take on this job and started the process, I really felt like I'd made a mistake. I've finished one, it went fine but there were definite times of stress.
If you do decide to powder coat, at least the control arms will be off the car and you can use a hydraulic press.
Good luck.
JK
On the car, pressing the ball joints out is not an easy task. Shortly after I decided to take on this job and started the process, I really felt like I'd made a mistake. I've finished one, it went fine but there were definite times of stress.
If you do decide to powder coat, at least the control arms will be off the car and you can use a hydraulic press.
Good luck.
JK
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,811
Likes: 2
From: Simpsonville SC
I found out the ball joints cannot with stand the heat, there is a nylon bushing of some sort in side and it melted, so all ball joints were ruined. I replaced all my ball joints, I used a hydraulic press and pressed them all out and pressed all the new ones back in. It was pretty easy, just had to support the arms and spindles to wear it wouldnt damage them. I went ahead and powder coated everything and now im waiting on my control arm bushings to come in.
Bryan
Bryan
