I just rebuilt the front end of my 1986 IROC-Z. When I went to have the car's wheels aligned, one of the front ball joints came loose. The mechanic said to have the ball joints tack welded to the control arm.
Would this damage the control arm?
Or should I try installing an oversize ball joint that NAPA sells?
Guy thank for your suggestions in advance!

 

ball joints are pressed in..... they should all be the same size....
tack welding a ball joint wtf never heard of it.....

 

the control arm is junk or the ball joints are junk. I sugesst getting both, new, or junkyard, considering the ball joint is welded to the control arm now.

 

I've read that these works well--but I have no personal experience with them.

JamesC

 

they are like .04" oversized and will supposedly stay in better if you can even get it in in the first place.

my only concerns would be
a) where are they made, and what kind of quality are they
b) you will never ever ever ever be able to go back to a standard ball joint again, and if you did, it would probably be very unsafe.

 

Only problem with welding in the balljoint is thats it after its done. Its meant to be a quick fix but I had a friend that did the same thing on a set of tubular lowers for a fullsize truck and never had a problem with them.

The napa idea sounds good, never knew they made them.

 

Advance Auto Parts carries them too . I had to put one in my womans '84 bird and they are much harder to install not just because of the oversize but they have knurling on the sides to keep the thing in better than just pressed in .