My ball joint (a year or so old) has fallen out of the a-arm. I wanted to know if I should replace the a-arm or if there was another route. I've heard someone mention an over-sized ball joint and welding it in place. Should I just replace the a-arm? Do I need to buy a new one, or will a used one be ok?

 

You can get an over-sized balljoint at the parts store. Never heard of welding it. Should be pressed into the control arm and be a tight fit.

 

OK. thanks. I'll try that. Welding it would work, I guess. Make putting in a new on a PITA, though. lol. I'll see if Napa has the over-sized one. Thanks Again

 

I want to see a pic of that

 

lol. ok. I will b4 I change it.

 

I have welded ball joints into the control arm. I consider it a temporary fix at best. Some of our old farm trucks that rarely see the highway,(they are exempt from license and state inspection)usually only see fields.As an inspection mechanic I would reject it.

 

I think the NAPA in Webber City has them in stock. When I bought mine they cut some of the price for me. And If you need any help let me know.

 

I decided to go ahead with the oversized ball joints. Changed them today. I couldn't find the camera, though. Just imagine what the ball joint would look like if you didn't press them in the a-arm and just bolted to the spindle and then having put everything back together.

I thought about weilding them, but decided to just try the oversized ones. Welding them didn't seem something I wanted to do.

I had to get them shipped from somewhere with NAPA. Took from Tuesday (when I ordered) til today to get them.

Thanks for the offer of help. I had already finished before I checked this. You can help when I start to swap in the T56, though. heh.

 

Yea sure but I have a LT1 swap going to be going as soon as I get it rebuilt.So you can hel heh heh. JLMK when you are going to start it I'll be more than glad to help. Do you live in Gray?

 

I live near Elizabethton. If you are coming from Kingsport on I-26 go past the Gray exit, through Johnson City. Take Exit #31 towards Elizabethton. I can meet you somewhere in Elizabethton.
I probably won't be starting on it til some time in the summer. In college right now, but when I get out for summer break, I'll go to work and start saving for the donor car. I think I'll do the T56 first, then maybe find a daily driver so I can have something to drive during the downtime during the engine swap. A good cheap, daily. Emphasis on the cheap...lol.

 

yea thats a car sales mans wet dream down there lol but LMK If you get a donar car with the rearend in it I'LL BUY IT

 

I'll probably use the rear, if it has one. I'll need the 3.42s. Mine is a 3.23 with the newer style calipers, 2" rotors (might need to be replaced by then) and Hawks HPS pads that are about 12 months old now. Just changed the gear oil (used Lucas) about 2-3 weeks ago. I'll sell it when I change in the one from the donor. Painted it black when I installed it last fall.