Does anyone know if someone has found an alternative for a 57 lower ball joint. THe cost is through the roof and nothing but junk. On my 3rd set from 3 vendor. I checked the 65 and up source, those are fairly high too. At this point different spindles to get a more reliable/affordable solution is now an option. This is a daily driver car. It just gets old paying out for junk. If I had the money a Fatman mustang II front end frame stub would go in.
Thanks in advance,
Buz
The best lower ball joints made are from rare parts but they are very expensive ($150.00+)
But you can get them from amazon for $97.83 each . I know still not cheep but they are made to last a lifetime . I just bought a pair last week and they are really nice and heavy cast body's . The part #is Rp10112 .
Those are great looking balljoints..thanks for posting that info. Particularly good to know about the Amazon source. The first time I have to replace my new ones...that's the way I'll go. My upper control arm shafts were Rare Parts..good stuff and MADE IN THE USA
It's really sad we have very few sources for good quality replacement parts, so much of it is junk :005:.
Guys,
My Dad did a 79' Granada conversion on the car, I'm in the middle of replacing the front end bushings and was thinking that I should replace the upper and lower ball joints while I'm at it. would anyone have an idea of what I need? part # maybe? Thanks in advance!
Tim :unitedstates:
Tim,
All the Granda conversions I've seen and my own use the stock 57 ball joints. Unless someone knows something I don't.
Cool! I guess if I don't hear anything different, I'll go with that! The thing that puzzled me, was that there was a set off new upper ball joints in the trunk, but the ball joint base wouldn't seat tight to the upper control arm. The mounting bolts didn't even line up straight, that's why I thought it was different.
Tim :unitedstates:
one more quick question, The idler arm nuts stop dead part way to coming off, what is the trick?
Tim :unitedstates:
Are you sure you have 57 upper A arms? Maybe the new ball joints are the wrong ones.
I have stock '57 balljoints with my Granada spindles.
Hiball,
The upper A arm is 57' I am thinking that the upper ball joint is either wrong, and Dad never returned it, (which explains his garage when we cleaned it out ! LOL!) or a cheap Chinese off brand! Anything on the idler arm removal?
Tim :unitedstates:
It's been a long time since I did the Idler arm, but it seems to me there was a trick to threading the nut and turning the shaft out at the same time. I have an original 57 chassis manual in the shop, I'm in for the night, 0 degrees again and the yard is all ice from last weeks rain. I'll look tomorrow, Mark
Thanks Mark!
Tim, I looked in the shop manuals, they didn't go into detail on the actual disassembly, but the process starts with removing the bracket from the frame. I remember having to thread the nut on while turning the arm the opposite direction, try that. Mark
Tim,
Aren't the idler arms fun :003:. I wish I could give step by step instruction but I would have to have one right in front of me to do it. The most important thing is when you assemble it. It can be too tight or you steering will bind.
I hate BUSHINGS!! for the life of me I can't get the upper A arm bushings in! I have given up for tonight, might be better on a nights rest, and a clear head.
Tim :unitedstates:
Tim,
Are you trying to pull them in with bolts?
Did you paint the control arms and get paint in the holes? You are trying to get just one in, and then the shaft before the second one, correct? How are you trying to get them in? Wish my memory was better on this.
Guys,
I was unable to get one completely in before I have to install the shaft, so I think the hard part is that in reality I'm trying to pull both in at once. Today I will try wrenching both sides at the same time, or I'll give up and bring it to a machine shop and let them deal with it! Lol!
Tim :unitedstates:
Tim,
I set up both sides to go in but had to start with some longer bolts, then a little shorter and then finally the originals. One side pulled in easier then the other but eventually both went in. Good luck.
has any one ever used the repair kits they used to sell for the tower ball joints?the kits i have are adjustable.
Quote from: canadian_ranchero on 2014-03-02 09:06
has any one ever used the repair kits they used to sell for the tower ball joints?the kits i have are adjustable.
I had seen them advertised somewhere but had no idea what they were. What is adjustable?
I just bought some nice upper ball joints yesterday, they were $35.00 from NAPA. Fit like a dream! Time will tell how they wear. Hiball, I am trying to pull them in by stepping down the bolts, one is 1/8" from seating, another 3/16", so close, but yet so far!
Tim :unitedstates:
Quote from: 57 Ford Kustom on 2014-03-02 10:02
I just bought some nice upper ball joints yesterday, they were $35.00 from NAPA. Fit like a dream! Time will tell how they wear. Hiball, I am trying to pull them in by stepping down the bolts, one is 1/8" from seating, another 3/16", so close, but yet so far!
Tim :unitedstates:
You are making progress and that's good. When I finished I looked at the bright side, I won't have to do that again in my life time :003: I don't recall it being that difficult back in the 60's when I did them.
Tim...LOL...you're sounding like me with the "why is everything I do always so difficult?" I ask myself on every project. It sure adds to the admiration I have for guys that make stuff look easy, and to the understanding of why it takes years to do a complete car. Hang in there...you'll get it.
Thanks for the encouragement, I sure wish Dad was still around! He always knew a trick for everything. Then again, if it was easy to do he would have done It! Lol!
Tim :unitedstates:
Quote from: hiball3985 on 2014-03-02 09:42
I had seen them advertised somewhere but had no idea what they were. What is adjustable?
it is theaded on the bottom to adjust the end play on the ball joint
Quote from: canadian_ranchero on 2014-03-02 12:49
it is theaded on the bottom to adjust the end play on the ball joint
THANK YOU..
if you're in to the tools....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kent-Moore-Control-Arm-Bushing-Replacer-CH-48358-/131131428651?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item1e880acf2b&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kent-Moore-SPX-G6-DTS-Lucerne-Bushing-Replacer-J-45725-A-/310887042160?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item48624fcc70&vxp=mtr
Gasman, that looks cool,but how would that help with installing the upper ones? The inner shaft has to be installed, and that tool wouldn't work? Right?
Tim :unitedstates: