Ball joint

BUBBAJ

MEMBER
1986 CHEVROLET CAMARO
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
80,000 MILES

I have a 1986 camaro and just discovered 2 different size ball joints, one side the stock replacement fits no problem on the other side the stock replacement is to small has anyone seen this before Thanks John

3 Replies

CARADIODOC

CERTIFIED MECHANIC

How much too small? Gms have a problem where the hole in the control arm gets stretched out and the new ball joint will fall out instead of having to be pressed in. Some aftermarket manufacturers make oversize ball joints to take care of that problem. If the new ball joint is just a little loose, you can tack-weld it in place. This is a rather common procedure. Just be sure to put the welds in a place where they can be cut off next time, and don't overheat the new joint.

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Monday, April 4th, 2011 AT 9:53 PM

BUBBAJ

MEMBER

Thanks for the quick response, the old ball joints measure 2.079 and 2.095 both the replacements measures 2.084

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Monday, April 4th, 2011 AT 10:13 PM

CARADIODOC

CERTIFIED MECHANIC

The larger one was most likely already an oversize replacement. You're either going to have to replace the lower control arm or get another oversize one and weld it if necessary. If you prefer to replace the control arm, this is one time when new is a better choice than a used one from the salvage yard.

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Monday, April 4th, 2011 AT 10:56 PM