GM RestorationParts.Com

[john lokay]

I just received the upper and lower ball joints I ordered for my mid-year from the GM Restoration web site and was surprised by what was in the box. First off, the box came from Ecklers as I expected a box with GM RestorationParts labeling. Upon opening the package each ball joint was in a box with no brand name and the only markings on the box were part numbers that did not match up with the part numbers listed for the ball joints on the web site. On top of that, the ball joints were in a plastic bag with a "made in India" label on it. There is absolutely no brand name listed anywhere and as I expected, they do not look at all like the orignals. While these parts might very well be perfectly fine and perform well, I'm going to return them. I feel a bit uncomfortable using a product in which I have no idea who the manufacturer is. Am I being overly cautious? By the way, I was looking at Zips prodcut catalogue last night and they list ball joints modeled just like the orginal ones. Has anybody on the DB purchased ball joints from Zips? Thanks

[Don Shirey]

Re: GM RestorationParts.Com

John,
You can purchase original style upper ball joints
from Long Island Corvette for $65.00 each. Original
type lower's are no longer available. I picked up
a set of original lowers last year for $200.00.

Good Luck,
Don 31553

[Joe L.]

Re: GM RestorationParts.Com

John-----

I'm not surprised, at all, by your experience; I was pretty much expecting that this was going to happen, but I appreciate your information and confirmation. Based upon my observations of many years, I have found that there is no replacement or "reproduction" ball joint on the market which is configured like the original GM parts. I can look at one and tell from a glance if it's original GM, or not. It never ceases to amaze me how folks will get hung up on many minor details of originality (especially those in "vogue" at any particular time), while using ball joints (or other suspension SERVICE parts) which are configured totally different than the originals. I've seen these replacements on an awful lot of "high dollar" restorations. I don't know if these parts are "judged", or not, though. However, it seems incongruous to me that features like the little "tab" on small block intake manifold gaskets would be judged, while totally incorrectly configured ball joints are ignored.

Basically, all 1966 to 1982 Corvette upper and lower ball joints, PRODUCTION or SERVICE, are configured virtually identical and significantly different from ANY aftermarket replacement or "reproduction" ball joint that I've ever seen. PRODUCTION GM ball joints are the same as SERVICE ball joints, except for the fact that the SERVICE uppers have 11/32" holes for 5/16" bolts whereas the PRODUCTION ball joints have 9/32" holes for 1/4" rivets. In addition to this reason, PRODUCTION part numbers are different than SERVICE part numbers since the SERVICE parts are supplied as part of a "kit" with bolts and other hardware necessary for installation. PRODUCTION ball joints were supplied to St. Louis as bare units. Thus, different part numbers were used.

1963-65 Corvettes used differently configured ball joints than later models, although the later model parts will SERVICE 63-65. Later 65, or perhaps all of 65, may have used the 66+ style ball joints. The 63-65 upper ball joints used a uniquely configured and seperate ball joint seal. I THINK that the lowers may have used a similar seal, but I've never been able to obtain an NOS example of any of the 3 different lower ball joints used from 63-65.