![]() |
Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 1,302
|
Lower ball joint binding on dropped crossmember
tl;dr is there a problem with running ball joints near their extreme angles/rang of motion?
I'm planning to go air and when setting up my suspension I notice that a couple of inches prior to the LCA hitting the crossmember, the lower ball joint is at max travel. Is there a way around this with stock control arms? In reality I'll probably never go this low -- planning on plates and cups with a 3"ish max compression bag. BUT this makes me wonder how those extreme angles will affect the life of the balljoints. I've seen flipped UCA's for correcting BJA (see attached pic) but I'm hesitant to do this, as the UCA isn't designed to carry a load in the opposite direction! Not sure how to deal with the LCA but I've read about "pie cutting" control arms to correct ball joint angle. I'd rather not do that if I can avoid it though.
__________________
1968 LWB C20 / AC / Wood Bed |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mesa,Az
Posts: 3,981
|
Re: Lower ball joint binding on dropped crossmember
Quote:
You do not want the ball joint to be in a bind as it will cause failure. However, I wouldn't be concerned if the ball joint was at its limits (but not binding) at full deflation. If you find that the ball joints are binding at full deflation, then you would need to look into finding a solution to relieve the angle. Nate
__________________
www.PorterbuiltFabrication.com Phone: 480-297-2621 E-mail: sales@pbfab.com Find us on FaceBook under Porterbuilt Fabrication Specializing in Chassis and Suspension Components for your Classic Chevrolet Truck. We offer components from the following manufacturers: Porterbuilt Accuair Ridetech (Air Ride Technologies) Air Lift Wilwood Intro Unisteer ECE Gotta Show Air Lift Borgeson CPP Supporting this forum since 2003! |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 1,302
|
Re: Lower ball joint binding on dropped crossmember
Thanks, that is really helpful -- it's clear that I was misunderstanding the term binding as being maxed out. The joints are not in fact binding when mocked up, but are maxed out. What causes binding? Shouldn't the joints be designed not to bind through their entire axes of rotation?
__________________
1968 LWB C20 / AC / Wood Bed |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,933
|
Re: Lower ball joint binding on dropped crossmember
Quote:
One option if it's an issue are 'uni-ball' or 'Jeebus Joints' (Google them). Usually it's the uppers that bind first.
__________________
67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Mesa,Az
Posts: 3,981
|
Re: Lower ball joint binding on dropped crossmember
Quote:
Nate
__________________
www.PorterbuiltFabrication.com Phone: 480-297-2621 E-mail: sales@pbfab.com Find us on FaceBook under Porterbuilt Fabrication Specializing in Chassis and Suspension Components for your Classic Chevrolet Truck. We offer components from the following manufacturers: Porterbuilt Accuair Ridetech (Air Ride Technologies) Air Lift Wilwood Intro Unisteer ECE Gotta Show Air Lift Borgeson CPP Supporting this forum since 2003! |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 1,302
|
Re: Lower ball joint binding on dropped crossmember
So it sounds like if my suspension is designed such that the joints never reach max travel I shouldn't bind. On the other hand, is there ever a situation in which the joints are maxed out and the suspension does not bind? I think I'm still missing something because it seems like you're saying that it's OK to be at max travel, but to me that basically means that the ball joint is being required to operate further than max travel. I mean, what suspension has such a tight tolerance that the joints can be maxed out by design with no further suspension travel possible?
__________________
1968 LWB C20 / AC / Wood Bed |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,933
|
Re: Lower ball joint binding on dropped crossmember
Quote:
__________________
67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 1,302
|
Re: Lower ball joint binding on dropped crossmember
Yeah I guess so, I think my joints will max out way before I hit frame though -- not that I'm looking to.
__________________
1968 LWB C20 / AC / Wood Bed |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: DALLAS,TX
Posts: 21,933
|
Re: Lower ball joint binding on dropped crossmember
This is where guys start 'pie-cutting' the arms to reduce the angles (or step up to aftermarket arms/cross members).
__________________
67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 1,302
|
Re: Lower ball joint binding on dropped crossmember
I guess that means cut a pie slice/bend/re-weld? I don't think I trust my welding skills all that much but maybe I'll give it a shot on the takouts after I swap this suspension out. Again, not planning to go that low at this point but you never know what will happen in the future! Thanks for all the advice, guys.
__________________
1968 LWB C20 / AC / Wood Bed |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
|
|