Upper ball joint chronology

[Dan A.]

The 1963 parts book lists part # 3832160.

'65 parts book lists 3832160 for '63-4 and 3865827 for '65.

The 3865827 part number continues through the '75 parts book.

I have another part number 22156979. When did the change up to this number occur? How similar is it to 3865827?

[Gary B.]

Search archives; Joe Lucia posting 11 March 1999 *NM*

[John Daly]

Re: Upper ball joint chronology

Dan,
Part number 22156979 is actually an upper ball joint service kit consisting of ball joint p/n 9761157 and p/n 9762024 parts package (special bolt,washer nut etc.) I don't know when it was production released. I'm sure Joe can provide info on the other part numbers.

[Joe L.]

Re: Upper ball joint chronology

Dan------

GM #3832160 was discontinued in July, 1965 and replaced by GM #3865827. GM #3865827 was discontinued in March, 1982 and replaced by GM #9762018. GM #9762018 was discontinued in July, 1997 and replaced by GM #22156979. GM #22156979 led a short life. It was discontinued shortly after it's "birth".

I have numerous NOS examples of all of the above [NONE for sale] and they are all absolutely identical to one another. No one could tell them apart. Also, all of the above SERVICE ball joints are absolutely identical to the PRODUCTION ball joints EXCEPT that the 3 holes for fastners to attach the joints to the a-arms are 11/32" rather than the 9/32" used for the PRODUCTION pieces. This is because PRODUCTION fastners were 1/4" rivets and SERVICE fastners are 5/16" bolts (or, 5/16" rivets if you so choose).

[Terry M.]

Upper ball joint chronology - clarification? *TL*

Joe,
I thought the production ball stud (to use Chevrolet's quaint nomenclature) had an unthreaded portion that the service part lacked? Please help me out.

[Joe L.]

Re: Upper ball joint chronology - clarification?

Terry-----

That's a myth although many folks seem to think that's the case. The GM SERVICE ball studs have the exact same unthreaded "extensions" as the PRODUCTION pieces. I have many NOS examples of every one of the SERVICE ball studs and every single one of them has the unthreaded "extension".

Aftermarket ball studs lack the extensions, though. I've never seen one that had them but there have been so many different ones available over the years, there could be some that do have them. The seal configuration and many other aspects of the aftermarket ball studs are completely different than originals or GM SERVICE parts, so even if the aftermarket versions had the extensions, it really wouldn't make too much difference. The aftermarket variety are highly functional, though.

[Terry M.]

Re: Upper ball joint chronology - clarification *TL*

Thanks Joe for the clarification. See you in Nashville.