i havn't seen this posted before, hopefully someone can help.i'm replacing my ball jointsand bushings. the driver side ball joint pressed in ALLOT easier than the pass. side. would it hurt it to tack weld the bottom of the balljoint in for piece of mind?there isn't a possibility of this falling out is there?these are used a frames i bought to rebuild.

wow, never heard that one before. once the spindle is bolted up, the ball joint can't fall out, but hell I guess it could be loose.

yeah man, I say weld the bastard. never hurts to weld anything!

If you dont want to weld it(not sure i'd do it) usually you can get an oversize balljoint to cure that problem.. They're just a few thousandths larger in diameter.

I believe I'd go to the buzzard and get another control arm for 20 or so.... beats pushing up daisies

i've never heard of an oversized balljoint, i'll check into it. i didn't find out about it until i already had the bushings in.how would something like that happen anyway?any body remove new energy suspension bushings without damaging them?

like rb if i thought there was a problem i'd replace the control arm. if you're set on useing it i'd coat it with loctite and put it in again. there really isn't much chance of it falling out after it's installed and bolted up.

Here's a link to an oversize one sold by NAPA. http://www.napaonline.com/cgi-bin/nc...grpid=24308971


In case that doesnt work, the part # is NCP 2601130OS the OS stands for oversize.

thanks for the help chevymad- happy thanksgiving

if the ball joints have been replaced often they can loosen up the hole in the arm. so long as its not spinning or has actual play in it i wouldn't worry, they are pulled in tight by the spring tension. you could always gently peen in around the edge of the hole before you install them. i once tack welded one but don't over do it just enough to stop it from spinning. You will have to remove it in the future.

anybody ever think of welding a plate to close and stiffen the bottom of the a arm?? Maybe put a few lightening holes in it? I was thinking of doing this but i wonder what it would help? Maybe ride quality or responsiveness??