Original upper ball joints

[Ed M.]

I have original ball joints on my '67, so I have been following the thread on the board about original versus reproduction. Unfortunately, although my upper ball joints are original and mechanically excellent, one of the boots is torn. Is the rubber boot avaiable? If so, how do you put it on? Is there anyone outthere restoring ball joints? Thanks for the input. Ed McGee

[Jack H.]

Re: Original upper ball joints

Recent thread started with Restorer magazine article from my assistant Judging Chairman, Jim Lennartz, who observed minor differences in factory original vs. GM service spares. He speculated these differences resulted from need to agree with factory assembly tooling on the chassis line to perform alignment without the weight of the body/power train present.


Other with GM mfgr experience have confirmed the 'Geo Machine' that did pre-load to make initial suspension alignment quick/easy. To my knowledge there's no source for factory original 'correct' ball joints as the driving factor (St. Louis factory) has LONG been history. Also, I know of nobody who 'restores' ball joints.


It'd be hard to replace shaved/worn metal. And process would have to be done by taking apart car/truck suspensions, inspecting for wear against factory tolerance and sorting. With the ball joints originally riveted in, this would be a VERY EXPENSIVE process considering material handling and labor rates.


Vinnie Peters DID comment that complete upper/lower A-frame assemblies can still be obtained from NOS GM service inventory. I'd guess there's a 'shot' here at getting fresh/new/'correct' based on when the particular A-frame they pull for you was made.


As far as how to install a new rubber boot, my guess is this'll be a 'trick' without having the ball joint out of its riveted cage. But, just as soon as I say this, we'll hear from somebody with clever tooling experience. Why not go to a scrap yard, find a couple assemblies of the era (many yards are open to the public and you can while away the hours playing with this/that) and see what can be done.


PS, some speculate the rubber boot bears Julian date coding, but this is NOT proven at this time. There are many places where 'marks' are left on parts to back track to mold, production run, producing plant, Etc. and it's easy for some marks to look like date codes by serrendipity.

[Terry M.]

Re: Original upper ball joints

Jack,


Note in last Restorer regarding availibility of control arms was a little over enthusiastic. Sad to say, it was based on dated (1997) information. You can try, but best information we have at this time is they be all gone. That 1997 report appears to have been the last of them.


Correction in the next Restorer winging its way to you (well maybe it is on the horse with the pony express rider or maybe your postman is reading it in his favorite reading room) as we speach.


Terry

[Joe L.]

Re: Original upper ball joints

Ed-----


The original ball joints for your car used a "retained" grease seal. In this construction, a metal retainer is used to fasten the grease seal to the forged body of the ball seat. I don't know if you could remove the pressed-on retainer without destroying it, but, even if you could, the rubber seal for this type of unit was never available as a service part. The aftermarket ball joint assemblies and seals, all of which are of the "non-retained" variety", will not work with the retainer.


The current GM SERVICE upper ball joint is GM #22156979. This ball joint is virtually identical to the original ball joint. The only difference that I can detect is the fact that the 3 holes in the mounting flange are 5/16" instead of the original joint's 1/4" holes. This permits the utilization of the 5/16" bolts supplied with the kit instead of the 1/4" rivets originally used. The last time I checked, this ball joint was still available and GM lists for $63.75 each.


The last available GM SERVICE lower ball joint was GM #22156980. In my opinion, this ball joint is identical with the originals supplied on your car. However, and unfortunately, it has now been discontinued.


As Terry mentioned, and I will confirm, the GM upper and lower a-arm assemblies which include original-style rivetted ball joints, have all been discontinued.

[George Daina]

Discontinued, yes, but still available....

in vette boneyards. Upper A arm assemblies complete w/rivited ball joints, 50-75/ea, lower assemblies, 75-100/ea. Gotta love dem bone yards. Got everything ya need.