How much is too much (lower ball joint interferance)

[Kevin Mac]

I have been working on replacing all control arm bushings and ball joints on my G body front clip. Everything was going fine until I tried to install the lower ball joint. It has .020" interferance and it just seams like it is too tight to go in the hole. I bought Moog parts thinking they would be good. I think .010" would be plenty for interferance fit. I may run a flapper wheel in the hole to loosen up a touch. What do you guys think?

Thanks Mac

[HUSSEY]

I can't comment on what the proper interface should be I experienced what you're experiencing. I also used all Moog parts to redo the front end on my S10 chassis swap. I had the control arms out when I went to put in the lower ball joints and they were a mother to get started and fully pressed in. I was using a ball joint press which looks like a big beefy u-clamp. I could only get them in so far with the control arms off the chassis with an impact. I had to put the control arm back on and use a long breaker bar to get the joints fully seated.

[Kevin Mac]

Wow. I went to parts store and measured a Moog and a cheapie and they both measured the same as mine. I need a press!! Thanks.

Mac

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by Kevin Mac

Wow. I went to parts store and measured a Moog and a cheapie and they both measured the same as mine. I need a press!! Thanks.

Mac

The aftermarket are larger because you press in and out the originals and that stretches the hole somewhat. .020 is to make sure you have a tight fit if the hole is stretched. You always press them in, you can knock them out with a hammer or put them in with a hammer your a frame is bad

[MiraclePieCo]

Always sand/grind on the item that easiest/cheapest to replace. IOW, grind on the bushing, not the control arm - grind on the tie rod end, not the spindle steering arm. I learned this lesson by having to buy new control arms.

[Kevin Mac]

I got it in, the reason I was concerned was the metal was starting to split where it is rolled out from the stamping. That made me want to research a little.
Thanks

Mac

[mr48chev]

What A arms are you putting the ball joints in? When I was doing front end work I used to run into some GM lower A arms that were a bit sloppy and wouldn't hold a ball joint tight. I took a center punch and staked some and replaced others. Even tack welded a couple of ball joints in place when the owner didn't want to spend extra money on them.

That said, I wouldn't grind on them to get them to fit.

[Kevin Mac]

1979 stock G Body A arms.

[mr48chev]

Are you using a ball joint press or ?

[1958Warrior]

I used the BFH and some anti-seize and a piece of pipe as a driver, didn't have any fancy tool at the time. However I did go buy a press off CL for $75. For next time.
You could always pick up a press off CL and just resale it when your done, they seem to sell quick.
They do sell oversized ball joints, for the sloppy A arms ,I've never ran into the need to use one yet

[Kevin Mac]

Warrior and 48, I used the BFH method also. Took the other side apart tonight but didn't try to drive that one in yet. I might drop it off at my mechanic's shop tomorrow and see if he will press it in for me.

Mac