Author Topic: ball joint slides right out, solutions?  (Read 5434 times)

Offline 88rxna

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ball joint slides right out, solutions?
« 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?
1984 custom deluxe C10
4.8 sloppy stage 2 cam with springs
s480
xmax terminator
4l80E

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2019, 07:16:35 PM »
Just get the problem solver ball joint. you didn't specify upper or lower
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
« Reply #2 on: April 23, 2019, 07:19:01 PM »
Lower from Napa PCC 104112
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74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline 88rxna

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Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
« Reply #3 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.
« Last Edit: April 23, 2019, 07:47:28 PM by 88rxna »
1984 custom deluxe C10
4.8 sloppy stage 2 cam with springs
s480
xmax terminator
4l80E

Offline MIKE S

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Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
« Reply #4 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. 

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
« Reply #5 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
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline 88rxna

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Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
« Reply #6 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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1984 custom deluxe C10
4.8 sloppy stage 2 cam with springs
s480
xmax terminator
4l80E

Offline JohnnyPopper

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Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
« Reply #7 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.
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline 88rxna

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Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
« Reply #8 on: April 27, 2019, 06:58:52 PM »
just wanted to thank you for the ball joint recommendation. worked perfect!
1984 custom deluxe C10
4.8 sloppy stage 2 cam with springs
s480
xmax terminator
4l80E

Offline roundhouse

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Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
« Reply #9 on: April 30, 2019, 06:55:37 AM »
Never knew you could get oversize ball joints


Offline MIKE S

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Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
« Reply #10 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.   

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
« Reply #11 on: April 30, 2019, 05:13:24 PM »
The part # I provided is oversized
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              ⌠¯¯¯¯¯'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline 88rxna

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Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
« Reply #12 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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1984 custom deluxe C10
4.8 sloppy stage 2 cam with springs
s480
xmax terminator
4l80E

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
« Reply #13 on: May 05, 2019, 10:12:19 PM »
what did the napa ones measure out to be?
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Offline VileZambonie

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Re: ball joint slides right out, solutions?
« Reply #14 on: May 06, 2019, 04:44:04 AM »
C10 or C20 LCA's?
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠¯¯¯¯¯'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10