Topic: Wanted -- Your old, assy line 4 hole ball joint

[Bossbill]

I'm looking for a used, junky, original, assy line upper 4 hole balljoint.
The ball joint would have the 4 tangs. I'm pointing at 1 of the 2 on the front -- 2 more on the back. I don't care about the ball joints condition other than the 4 tangs must be present and not damaged. No severely rusted tangs, please.

Let me know what you have.

[jwc66k]

What year? So nobody else need look at their old greasy 65 and 66 uppers that don't seem to have them.
Jim

[Bossbill]

Greasy? Naw ...

Any year, 65-70.

This may start a whole new topic, but from what I've seen of the stock and Ford early NOS ball joints they all have the 4 tangs.

Here's a pic of one of the Ford Assy line style NOS guys with tangs.

[Bossbill]

Oh, if they are still attached to junk control arms don't go through the trouble of removing the ball joints. I'll go through the fun of removing them.

[CharlesTurner]

Are you thinking the top part won't be worn and just replace the lower part with stud?

[Bossbill]

When you look at an installed Moog replacement ball joint the obvious concours difference is that it's missing the tangs.
I found a ne replacement ball joint that has the tangs, but the stud is too short so it uses a short castle nut. Bummer.
Since I'm going through the trouble of using original and correct dust boots I want to replicate the tangs. I'll probably have to create a thin plate and weld the tangs to that plate. That would go under the Moog BJ. I would fab the tangs too, but the ends have a unique look. Why reinvent the wheel?
By now there should be lots of these. However, they are probably all in a landfill.

[67gtasanjose]

...By now there should be lots of these. However, they are probably all in a landfill.

er, more likely all that old steel was recycled 10 times before becoming a percentage of that Chinese "disposable"  brake rotor you just put onto that daily driver

[69bossnut]

From all the original ball joints I’ve looked at & inspected over the years. There is usually minimal to no wear. The only thing if any the spring is broken but not often. The original ball joint by design is going to have about an 1/8” play in it when you check it for movement. That’s why so many I believe got replaced over the years. The new ball joints by design have zero moment when inspected. I usually just clean up & inspect all parts for wear & stress fractures. Then grease & reassemble with newly plated ring & boot. I have seen some take the moog joint & weld the tabs on the side. At first glance it looks good & most don’t notice. But if you really know what your looking for you can tell. 

[Bossbill]

I agree that on close inspection you might be able to see the mod.
But on casual inspection (like out on the judging field) it at least looks like an original ball joint, whereas the Moog all by itself does not.

I'd be surprised if more people didn't get dinged for this (again, on the judged field) since the Moog does not look like an assembly or correct Ford replacement. Sure, we're allowed reproductions, but they at least have to look the part.

Too bad this didn't come a day earlier. I did this to a factory piece.

[69bossnut]

You would only get dinged on the judging field if you we’re in the thoroughbred class. Concours class would not deduct for moog ball joints.

[9TO2Hknot4cell]

I understand this is an older thread, but What is the tang part of the joint?
Thanks

[67gtasanjose]

I understand this is an older thread, but What is the tang part of the joint?
Thanks

Poonting at the tang in the first post

[Bossbill]

I should probably lock this thread as I am no longer looking (or finding)!

Here is a pic from another thread starting on page 5"
http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=14377.msg149147#msg149147

on what the Dennis Carpenter BJs looks like with temporary bolts simply holding it in place. The dust boot is an NOS Ford boot.

[Bob Gaines]

Did you confirm that the stud was shorter ? If so was it long enough where you could get by cutting the slots deeper in the castle nut and still have it look reasonable? Or is it too short were you had to use the shorter castle nut?

[preaction]

Bill, I have good luck finding them at WCCC.