Mopar Ball Joints

GTX JOHN · 11-08-2012, 12:25 AM

I had a upper Ball Joint fail on Demon in Pomona today.
Are there any better quality Ball joints available than
the regular Auto parts stuff?
I use Energy Bushings
in the front end but regular replacement Ball Joints I have
1972 Small hole Drum brake setup. Does anybody make a spacer
to us larger disc brake spindles in early A arm/Ball Joint?

70AARCuda · 11-08-2012, 01:05 AM

doctordiff@gmail.com

(406)883-4772 10-6 Mountain Time, M-F

http://www.ebay.com/itm/67-72-Mopar-...99e6c2&vxp=mtr

Is this what you are looking for?

Tony

magnumv8 · 11-10-2012, 12:58 PM

The old school front end shop fix for this is pretty simple.....all you need to do is with a small hammer take and tap the ball joint flange in the A arm reducing it's diameter to the point where the bottom of the new ball joint still slips in but the threaded portion does not.....screw in the new ball til it seats then put a couple small tack welds on it and you are done......

D L Rambo STK 1300

Michael K · 11-10-2012, 07:50 PM

I used Moog ball joints on my 68 A-Body that has 73-76 front suspension.

The paperwork Moog supplied said "thread ball joint squarely into control arm until shoulder of ball joint is firmly seated against the arm. If torque required to seat the housing is less than 125 ft-lbs, the control arm must be replaced."

I can't remember what mine checked at, but well over 125 ft-lbs.

Run to Rund · 11-10-2012, 09:06 PM

I would rather not weld on heat-treated ball joint housings. I'd look into red Loctite on the threads, and welding a strap across the joint onto the A arm.

GTX JOHN · 11-11-2012, 04:26 PM

Thanks for all the Excellent Advise.....I think I will buy the
new reproduction stuff When you consider the lower joints
alone are 50 each it makes to package not that bad!

Thanks Again!!

Mark Howes · 11-08-2012, 10:13 AM

I also had a failure with my SS/JA '71 Duster this fall at Epping. Luckily nothing serious came of it.

I was looking at welding them in place but this looks like a good idea. Thanks for the link!

Philip Saran · 11-08-2012, 12:09 PM

John,

I know you need a fix today..........but later maybe it's time to upgrade to
either 73-76 A-body disc brakes with the bigger ball joints or aftermarket
disc brakes?

Chris DeGidio · 11-08-2012, 12:27 PM

Where are they breaking at?

Todd Boyer · 11-08-2012, 01:27 PM

Mark, the above kit looks like a good idea for adapting the '73-'76 -larger/beefier/BUT heavier- knuckles to the early ball joints, but you'd still be using the same early (small) ball joint and control arm. If it's the early ball joint and control arm that is the issue, this kit isn't gonna be of much help.

Afco makes low friction all joints, not sure about 'better quality' as John asked for, but likely are.

http://www.afcoracing.com/#

11-08-2012, 12:25 AM	#1
GTX JOHN VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder City, Nevada 89005 Posts: 2,721 Likes: 2,772 Liked 2,438 Times in 689 Posts	Mopar Ball Joints I had a upper Ball Joint fail on Demon in Pomona today. Are there any better quality Ball joints available than the regular Auto parts stuff? I use Energy Bushings in the front end but regular replacement Ball Joints I have 1972 Small hole Drum brake setup. Does anybody make a spacer to us larger disc brake spindles in early A arm/Ball Joint?

11-08-2012, 01:05 AM	#2
70AARCuda Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 33 Likes: 64 Liked 11 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Mopar Ball Joints doctordiff@gmail.com (406)883-4772 10-6 Mountain Time, M-F http://www.ebay.com/itm/67-72-Mopar-...99e6c2&vxp=mtr Is this what you are looking for? Tony

11-10-2012, 12:58 PM	#3
magnumv8 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Coraopolis, Pa. Posts: 172 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Mopar Ball Joints The old school front end shop fix for this is pretty simple.....all you need to do is with a small hammer take and tap the ball joint flange in the A arm reducing it's diameter to the point where the bottom of the new ball joint still slips in but the threaded portion does not.....screw in the new ball til it seats then put a couple small tack welds on it and you are done...... D L Rambo STK 1300

11-10-2012, 07:50 PM	#4
Michael K Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Minnesota Posts: 101 Likes: 89 Liked 62 Times in 17 Posts	Re: Mopar Ball Joints I used Moog ball joints on my 68 A-Body that has 73-76 front suspension. The paperwork Moog supplied said "thread ball joint squarely into control arm until shoulder of ball joint is firmly seated against the arm. If torque required to seat the housing is less than 125 ft-lbs, the control arm must be replaced." I can't remember what mine checked at, but well over 125 ft-lbs.

11-10-2012, 09:06 PM	#5
Run to Rund Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 583 Likes: 8 Liked 54 Times in 27 Posts	Re: Mopar Ball Joints I would rather not weld on heat-treated ball joint housings. I'd look into red Loctite on the threads, and welding a strap across the joint onto the A arm.

11-11-2012, 04:26 PM	#6
GTX JOHN VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Boulder City, Nevada 89005 Posts: 2,721 Likes: 2,772 Liked 2,438 Times in 689 Posts	Re: Mopar Ball Joints Thanks for all the Excellent Advise.....I think I will buy the new reproduction stuff When you consider the lower joints alone are 50 each it makes to package not that bad! Thanks Again!!

11-08-2012, 10:13 AM	#7
Mark Howes Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Saint John, NB Canada Posts: 126 Likes: 346 Liked 80 Times in 28 Posts	Re: Mopar Ball Joints I also had a failure with my SS/JA '71 Duster this fall at Epping. Luckily nothing serious came of it. I was looking at welding them in place but this looks like a good idea. Thanks for the link!

11-08-2012, 12:09 PM	#8
Philip Saran Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Parker, CO. Posts: 728 Likes: 163 Liked 14 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Mopar Ball Joints John, I know you need a fix today..........but later maybe it's time to upgrade to either 73-76 A-body disc brakes with the bigger ball joints or aftermarket disc brakes? __________________ Phil Saran Parker, Colorado

11-08-2012, 12:27 PM	#9
Chris DeGidio Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 364 Likes: 8 Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Mopar Ball Joints Where are they breaking at? __________________ Nautilus Racing

11-08-2012, 01:27 PM	#10
Todd Boyer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Saint John NB Canada Posts: 560 Likes: 27 Liked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Re: Mopar Ball Joints Mark, the above kit looks like a good idea for adapting the '73-'76 -larger/beefier/BUT heavier- knuckles to the early ball joints, but you'd still be using the same early (small) ball joint and control arm. If it's the early ball joint and control arm that is the issue, this kit isn't gonna be of much help. Afco makes low friction all joints, not sure about 'better quality' as John asked for, but likely are. http://www.afcoracing.com/# Last edited by Todd Boyer; 11-08-2012 at 01:40 PM. Reason: added material