Ball Joint's of choice?

Z28-69 · 06-23-2009, 08:49 PM

Can you guy's give me some opinion on ball joints of choice for the first gen. camaro's? Is it worth going to the longer ones or not? Also who would be name brand of choice? Thanks Eric

sixty8 · 06-24-2009, 01:38 PM

I went with a Howe upper ball joint and am happy with them. Here are the numbers for stock a-arms in the first gen Camaro. I ordered them separate and assembled them myself.

Howe upper joint pn - 22303
.5 longer stud - 22385

Z28-69 · 06-24-2009, 08:23 PM

Thanks....I will check those out. I know this has been discussion before, however I wasn't paying attention at the time. Does the .5 inch help get more travel? Is that the reason guys use them or is there another reason?

sixty8 · 06-25-2009, 12:45 AM

You will get more travel and in my case more than my QA1 shocks could extend. I had to use an adjustable bolt setup on the upper arm to keep the shock from hitting it's limit. I have between 5.75 to 6 inches of travel measured at the fender lip and the car sits almost touching the lower bumpstops. I believe that it will also help reduce bumpsteer. I bracket race my car and these ball joints might be illegal for stock.

blasttime · 06-25-2009, 04:53 AM

Why would you not use the correct required length for your applacation? This is not a well thought out modifcation in my opinion.

Jim Cimarolli · 06-26-2009, 09:13 PM

You can maintain the camber better at full lift with the longer ball joints.
I like 'em!

Jim Cimarolli · 06-26-2009, 09:21 PM

You can maintain the camber better at full lift with the longer ball joints.
I like 'em!

Z28-69 · 06-27-2009, 12:16 PM

Thanks guys for the input. Helping my brother select parts for his 68 that we are putting together. Helps to buy the right parts the first time. Not later on! Eric

Alan Roehrich · 06-27-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blasttime

Why would you not use the correct required length for your applacation? This is not a well thought out modifcation in my opinion.

Actually, it is a very well thought out modification. Without the longer ball joints, you have serious alignment and bump steer issues, and you are over stressing the ball joints by using them for stops, and doing it at a severe angle. The car will work much better with the longer ball joints.

blasttime · 06-27-2009, 02:11 PM

Measure your shock compressed and extended buy the right length ball joint. Why would you install .5 long stud to ruin a shock .1,.2,.3,.4,.5 length studs can be had.

06-23-2009, 08:49 PM	#1
Z28-69 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Grand Rapids MI Posts: 66 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Ball Joint's of choice? Can you guy's give me some opinion on ball joints of choice for the first gen. camaro's? Is it worth going to the longer ones or not? Also who would be name brand of choice? Thanks Eric

06-24-2009, 01:38 PM	#2
sixty8 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 14 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ball Joint's of choice? I went with a Howe upper ball joint and am happy with them. Here are the numbers for stock a-arms in the first gen Camaro. I ordered them separate and assembled them myself. Howe upper joint pn - 22303 .5 longer stud - 22385

06-24-2009, 08:23 PM	#3
Z28-69 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Grand Rapids MI Posts: 66 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ball Joint's of choice? Thanks....I will check those out. I know this has been discussion before, however I wasn't paying attention at the time. Does the .5 inch help get more travel? Is that the reason guys use them or is there another reason?

06-25-2009, 12:45 AM	#4
sixty8 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 14 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ball Joint's of choice? You will get more travel and in my case more than my QA1 shocks could extend. I had to use an adjustable bolt setup on the upper arm to keep the shock from hitting it's limit. I have between 5.75 to 6 inches of travel measured at the fender lip and the car sits almost touching the lower bumpstops. I believe that it will also help reduce bumpsteer. I bracket race my car and these ball joints might be illegal for stock.

06-25-2009, 04:53 AM	#5
blasttime Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 43 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ball Joint's of choice? Why would you not use the correct required length for your applacation? This is not a well thought out modifcation in my opinion.

06-26-2009, 09:13 PM	#6
Jim Cimarolli Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sulphur Springs Texas Posts: 735 Likes: 118 Liked 152 Times in 43 Posts	Re: Ball Joint's of choice? You can maintain the camber better at full lift with the longer ball joints. I like 'em!

06-26-2009, 09:21 PM	#7
Jim Cimarolli Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Sulphur Springs Texas Posts: 735 Likes: 118 Liked 152 Times in 43 Posts	Re: Ball Joint's of choice? You can maintain the camber better at full lift with the longer ball joints. I like 'em!

06-27-2009, 12:16 PM	#8
Z28-69 Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Grand Rapids MI Posts: 66 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ball Joint's of choice? Thanks guys for the input. Helping my brother select parts for his 68 that we are putting together. Helps to buy the right parts the first time. Not later on! Eric

06-27-2009, 02:11 PM	#10
blasttime Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 43 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Ball Joint's of choice? Measure your shock compressed and extended buy the right length ball joint. Why would you install .5 long stud to ruin a shock .1,.2,.3,.4,.5 length studs can be had.