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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Brakes, Frame, Steering & Suspension => Topic started by: 88rxna on April 23, 2019, 06:35:52 PM

Title: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: 88rxna on April 23, 2019, 06:35:52 PM
hello, im currently TRYING to update my front end and i am stuck at the moment. my 1984 c10's passenger side socket is too big apparently. the new MOOG ball joint slides right out. i am hoping to find a good solution that's cost efficient. ive tried a couple local auto part stores and only 1 can get an oversized ball joint and they want $60 up front because its a special order!!!
ive attached a few pictures so you may see the difference in size. im wondering if someone already used an oversized ball joint (the one i pulled out)? not sure id trust tack welding it in place.
is it gonna be easier to just order a whole lower arm with the ball joint already pressed in?
Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: VileZambonie on April 23, 2019, 07:16:35 PM
Just get the problem solver ball joint. you didn't specify upper or lower
Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: VileZambonie on April 23, 2019, 07:19:01 PM
Lower from Napa PCC 104112
Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: 88rxna on April 23, 2019, 07:45:54 PM
sorry about that, it is the lower.
i ordered 2 in case the other side is the same way. thanks so much for the help, i hope these fit!
is this a common ball joint for the issue? i searched for a while and could not find anything.
Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: MIKE S on April 24, 2019, 09:56:11 AM
I have had this happen before. The LCA is stamped steel. Pressing the ball joint in and out can pull metal from the hole. If it has been pressed crooked it can stretch the hole. I have tack welded the ball joint to the LCA before to fix this. Its either that or replace the arm. 
Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: JohnnyPopper on April 24, 2019, 02:42:43 PM
At this point it's cheaper to tack weld, not like it's going to fall out...or pull through... ;D
Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: 88rxna on April 24, 2019, 03:19:57 PM
I ordered the Napa ball joints as requested by vilezambonie. Thankfully amazon has a Good return Center.
I just don't feel comfortable tack welding into place..

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Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: JohnnyPopper on April 24, 2019, 05:02:46 PM
I don't blame you.

Funny thing is the problem wasn't the LCA, the difference was in the ball joint OD was considerable.
Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: 88rxna on April 27, 2019, 06:58:52 PM
just wanted to thank you for the ball joint recommendation. worked perfect!
Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: roundhouse on April 30, 2019, 06:55:37 AM
Never knew you could get oversize ball joints

Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: MIKE S on April 30, 2019, 10:15:55 AM
I don't think he installed oversized. From the measurement that he shows on the caliper that ball joint is to small for the part number he bought which is the correct part number. I measured my extra ball joint and the diameter is larger. I think what happened is the ball joints he received were probably boxed wrong.   
Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: VileZambonie on April 30, 2019, 05:13:24 PM
The part # I provided is oversized
Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: 88rxna on May 05, 2019, 07:05:30 PM
The Napa was still too small for the driver side. I could pound it back out with a rubber mallet. Guess I'm ordering new controll arms. I tried smacking around the outside of the pocket (with a hammer and chisel) for the ball joint on the arm but it didn't work ...
I've found some on   and classic auto website for 140 each side! Any place that sell for cheaper?

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Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: Irish_Alley on May 05, 2019, 10:12:19 PM
what did the napa ones measure out to be?
Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: VileZambonie on May 06, 2019, 04:44:04 AM
C10 or C20 LCA's?
Title: 84c10 with 1990 quad blazer grill/light upgrade questions
Post by: 88rxna on May 06, 2019, 07:57:29 AM
What would be the difference between the c10 and c20 lca's?
I do know the stem on the ball joint im trying to replace is the same size as the new ones.
Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: JohnnyPopper on May 06, 2019, 02:33:45 PM
C10 is 1/2 ton.

C20 is 3/4 ton.

I bet someone put a C20 arm on your passenger side.

Go to Napa and measure a 3/4 ton ball joint.
Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: 88rxna on May 06, 2019, 03:24:09 PM
Both sides are the same. The ball joints littlery fall right out. I'll measure them and post pics

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Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: 88rxna on May 06, 2019, 03:37:07 PM
This came off the control arm and this is the driver side arm. The ball joint measured 1.90 and the hole is 1.80
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190506/45fd7bf653e85914f052b582532f00dc.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190506/ab8e8edbfc1ff1bd211457b69e732278.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190506/9d2384241a82876dfce8a333877490c9.jpg)
Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: 88rxna on May 06, 2019, 03:39:39 PM
The NAPA oversized measures at 1.78
Also, I ordered and installed c10 poly bushings into the passenger side control arm which I have the same problem with.  Aren't the bushings different sizes?
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190506/6c6f0b3c051ea9492916874b1f5e706e.jpg)


Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: JohnnyPopper on May 06, 2019, 05:32:29 PM
Dude!

How can a ball joint measure 010. bigger than the hole it came out of?

Dumb question but are you measuring the diameter at the same point on each?

Do you have before and after pics of the ball joints? this is getting very strange.

I would go to Napa and measure a 3/4" ball joint.
Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: 88rxna on May 06, 2019, 05:52:43 PM
I tried closing them with a cold chisel and hammer after the new ball joints were lose by hitting around the outside of the socket.

I just bit the bullet and bought new control arms from  .  I'm not gonna chance it.

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Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: Irish_Alley on May 06, 2019, 08:48:58 PM
Dude!

How can a ball joint measure 010. bigger than the hole it came out of?


what i was thinking is that he measured the ball joint on the outside of the splines and when he measured the whole it didnt include the splines as they cut into the control arm
Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: MIKE S on May 06, 2019, 10:09:39 PM
I don’t know what they are giving you but I just measured an extra new master pro K6117 that is 1.945 at the bottom and 1.80 at the top..
Title: Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
Post by: ezstriper on July 06, 2020, 03:15:17 PM
ran into that once before, moog does sell a oversize one