68 Ball Joint Install

[Jeff P.]

Would like new correct ball joints installed in my a arms with rivets. Can someone tell me who to contact. Thanks ,Jeff

[Jeff P.]

Re: 68 Ball Joint Install

I was told by a local restorer to keep my ball joints and refinish the a arms. I did that but on the underside he painted over the joint. What would be the deduction for paint on them underneath . Car has 66 K thanks, Jeff. Is it worth keeping them and taking a hit for the overspray.

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Ball Joint Install

I was told by a local restorer to keep my ball joints and refinish the a arms. I did that but on the underside he painted over the joint. What would be the deduction for paint on them underneath . Car has 66 K thanks, Jeff. Is it worth keeping them and taking a hit for the overspray.

Jeff------

The upper ball joints are usually practically "immortal". I doubt you need them.

The lower ball joints, not so "immortal". However, if the car actually has 66,000 miles on it (i.e. not actually 166,000 or 266,000), then the lowers are likely OK, too.

[Larry M.]

Re: 68 Ball Joint Install

Would like new correct ball joints installed in my a arms with rivets. Can someone tell me who to contact. Thanks ,Jeff

Contact Bair's in Pennsylvania for riviting. I would try and keep the old original ball joints if possible and if they are still good, but otherwise contact Bair's for this work. They advertise in the Driveline.

Larry

[Jeff P.]

Re: 68 Ball Joint Install

Thanks guys for the reply. Good advise Joe. Thank you Larry and Alan. Is it a big hit if the bottom portion and rivets are painted. Tops are bare also rivet heads. I guess it would be better with the originals with a little paint on bottoms than have a newer style with not original rivets. I tried taking the paint off Alan, no go. Must be baked on Rustoleum. LOL

[Bob R.]

Re: 68 Ball Joint Install

The deduct for paint on the original ball joints should be very minor if is is picked up at all. Remember most of the judges are in there 60's or so if they see the original ball joint I don't think they are going to look that close at the bottom of the rivets and even if they do it can't be much of a deduct.

[Paul O.]

Re: 68 Ball Joint Install

Jeff

The ball joints are worth 4 points for all 4. So following CDCIF you have a finish issue on the 2 upper joints. So divide 4 divide by 4 equals 1 point for each ball joint. Then divide 1 by 5 for each area covered by CDCIF you have .20 of a point for finish on each ball joint. So a no deduction with a note to the owner and may have a dot associated with it depending on the judge.

[Jeff P.]

Re: 68 Ball Joint Install

Thank you Bob and Paul. Original ball joints will stay.

[Joe L.]

Re: 68 Ball Joint Install

Thank you Bob and Paul. Original ball joints will stay.

Jeff------


The original ball joints were installed at St. Louis so there should be no paint on them or the rivets. Although it's such a minor matter, if you wish you could remove any paint on them now with a Dremel tool and wire wheel.

[Jeff P.]

Re: 68 Ball Joint Install

Thanks, Joe. I tried a Dremel but the small wheels must be of a soft alloy.