ConcoursMustang Forums

Restoring - General discussions that span across many different groups of years and models => Suspension => Topic started by: T Lea on October 12, 2010, 08:59:02 AM

Title: separate ball joint from arm
Post by: T Lea on October 12, 2010, 08:59:02 AM
On a 68-70 style lower control arm in addition to the rivets there are spot welds that hold the ball joint to the arm. How are people removing these without damaging both? Or do you drill them out and weld the holes?
Title: Re: separate ball joint from arm
Post by: CharlesTurner on October 12, 2010, 09:38:53 AM
Are you talking about the lower plate?  If so, that doesn't have to come off to restore the arms.
Title: Re: separate ball joint from arm
Post by: T Lea on October 12, 2010, 01:46:56 PM
isn't the ball joint attached to it?
Title: Re: separate ball joint from arm
Post by: CharlesTurner on October 12, 2010, 05:27:16 PM
Quote from: T Lea on October 12, 2010, 01:46:56 PM
isn't the ball joint attached to it?

No, the internal parts just seat inside the cup.  See this blog post with pics:

http://65kresto.blogspot.com/2010/05/5310.html
Title: Re: separate ball joint from arm
Post by: gtamustang on October 13, 2010, 10:40:03 AM
The two plates for the lower ball joint separate fairly easliy once the rivets are out. I would not recommend re-using the gasket, but keep it as a template for making new ones. Also, when you re-assemble the ball joint, you will need to clamp/press the two plates together and then hammer the plate tabs to get a tight seal.

After I tumble the LCAs (sans ball joint), I use gun bluing and a torch to get the heat treated appearance of the plate that is spot welded to the LCA.

Regards,
Pete Morgan
Title: Re: separate ball joint from arm
Post by: 68 S Code on October 13, 2010, 04:15:35 PM
Peter, if you stay away from abrasives and just use a product like evapo-rust you won't have to blue it as the chemical doesn't harm the finish. i just did my LCA last week and they came out great. Let them sit in the solution for 2 days and they were ready to be refinished with clear and black.
Title: Re: separate ball joint from arm
Post by: gtamustang on October 13, 2010, 04:46:16 PM
I am well aware of evapo-rust and use it regularly. Sometimes you don't have the benefit of first choice in how to restore a particular part and have to make do with what you have and how you want the part to appear.

BTW, evapo-rust does not remove paint and on the LCAs, I want the paint removed so that i can tumble the part and then re-dip in semi-gloss black to refinish correctly.

Regards,
Pete Morgan
Title: Re: separate ball joint from arm
Post by: T Lea on October 13, 2010, 08:55:47 PM
Quote from: T Lea on October 12, 2010, 01:46:56 PM
isn't the ball joint attached to it?
Got it. The gaskets were really holding tight. Finally came apart.
Title: Re: separate ball joint from arm
Post by: Brant on October 14, 2010, 12:04:32 AM
We just got these in from a supplier.  You guys may want to comment on the correctness of the retainer in this kit.  I do not have an original 67-up lower control arm handy right now.

(http://www.virginiaclassicmustang.com/Assets/ProductImages/su411.jpg)

http://www.virginiaclassicmustang.com/67-73-LOWER-BALL-JOINT-SEAL-RETAINER-AND-GASKET-P159003.aspx

Title: Re: separate ball joint from arm
Post by: gtamustang on October 14, 2010, 01:39:44 PM
Brant,

From the pic the retainer and gasket look very similar to original ones. Send me a sample and I will compare it to a 67 LCA that i will dismantle just for the comparison. I can post the pictures as well.

Regards,
Pete Morgan
Title: Re: separate ball joint from arm
Post by: J_Speegle on October 14, 2010, 06:24:57 PM
Think I know who is doing these (mentioned them at last visit since we were using them to do some A arms for a 67 Shelby project) so I'll swing by their shop when I get back from the Judges meeting.

Thanks for sharing
Title: Re: separate ball joint from arm
Post by: Brant on October 14, 2010, 07:20:25 PM
Quote from: J_Speegle on October 14, 2010, 06:24:57 PM
Think I know who is doing these (mentioned them at last visit since we were using them to do some A arms for a 67 Shelby project) so I'll swing by their shop when I get back from the Judges meeting.

Thanks for sharing

Jeff,

Daniel Carpenter supplies these.