Joe Lucia- C2 Control Arm rebuild

[Gary Wilkerson]

Joe,

I searched the archives and found a post from Feb 99 where you recomended Carters Corvette, Van Steel or Bairs for control arm rebuild service.
In the same post you suggest telling them you want an NCRS/NCCB correct restoration and the use of GM ball joints.
If I request an NCRS/NCCB correct restoration from any of the above suppliers would the service include replacement ball joints thus not as correct as one would hope?
Is using the GM Ball Joints the only "correct" way to achieve the proper configuration and look?

Thanks Joe!

Gary

[Joe L.]

Re: Joe Lucia- C2 Control Arm rebuild

Gary------

As far as I know, none of the service suppliers I previously mentioned replace the ball joints with GM originals. They may or may not have any of these which they could use upon request (and, of course, upon payment of a significantly higher price-----a car set of GM original joints will fetch about $750-1000 on eBay, so these sources are not going to give them away for the price of ordinary aftermarket replacements if they even have any to sell).

At the present time there is no ball joint on the market which even comes close to the configuration of the original GM joints. However, take heart! I understand that a reproduction of the original GM joints is due to hit the market in the next several months. Very likley it will be a "far east" copy, but they've been turning out some other good reproductions lately of other obsolete chassis parts.

[Jon #40768]

Re: Joe Lucia- C2 Control Arm rebuild

I dont know about the others, be Carters shot peens the A arms.
Jon

[Gary S.]

Re: Joe Lucia- C2 Control Arm rebuild

I have to break out my judging guide but, in the interest of safety, are these replacement ball joints even judged for originality? I was thinking that they weren't as long as they are rivited in. My JG is at work so I will reference it later.

Gary

[Bill B.]

Re: Joe Lucia- C2 Control Arm rebuild

Bair's does also.

[Eugene B.]

Re: Joe Lucia- C2 Control Arm rebuild

Gary,
When I R&R'ed my '65 control arms, I installed new AC Delco lower ball joints. The P/N is ACD# 45D2016 (GM# 88911514). You may want to verify that the number is the same for the '67.

I honestly have no idea how they will judge, but I am satisfied with them and I'll take whatever deduction may be appropriate. In my opinion, they look much nicer than several generic BJs that I've seen. They are also made in good old USA and they'll run you about $40 each.

Don't have a P/N for the uppers as I reused/reriveted my originals.

Hope this info is useful. Good luck.

Regards,
Gene

[Gary B.]

Judging differences & deducts

Gary,

If one has a good memory or a photo of what an original GM balls joints looks like, then yes, one can tell differences between original ball joints and aftermarket ball joints. And yes, I have seen judges take deductions based on known differences. I think the deduction will be comparable to that taken for bolts instead of rivets, which I think is typically 1 point for incorrect uppers and 1 point for incorrect lowers.

Gary

[Gary Wilkerson]

Re: Joe Lucia- C2 Control Arm rebuild

Thanks everyone for your feedback and guidence. I'm getting ready to remove the front and rear suspension on the 66 for the winter project.
I'm concerned about keeping the old units so replacement is likely.
I'll check on the AC units and maybe I'll luck into some originals!!

Gary

[Joe L.]

Re: Joe Lucia- C2 Control Arm rebuild

Gary------

The ball joints currently available through the Delco parts system are pieces of reasonably good quality. However, they are not configured like the original joints which, when available, were only available through the GM parts system. The Delco pieces are, basically, aftermarket-type pieces. Among other differences from the originals, they lack the original type seals (boots), seal retainers, and unthreaded extension on the stud.

[Gary Wilkerson]

Thank You! Joe *NM*