How safe is raising the ball joint? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

5150 · 03-22-2011, 05:09 AM

I just bought a 72 burb that someone did this too. It has been changed over to a 73 and up control arm. I've obviously seen it done, but was wondering how stable it is.

I also plan on getting drop spindles and it has 2 inch coils on it now.
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smashingchuck · 03-22-2011, 10:21 AM

I'm not sure about the actual stepped control arms, but I would think you might have issues with your scrub line if you combine the stepped control arms with dropped spindles. I would think that it would bump steer with the stepped control arms though.

5150 · 03-22-2011, 10:32 AM

smashingchuck · 03-22-2011, 10:40 AM

pic doesn't work...

5150 · 03-22-2011, 10:44 AM

Can you see in now?

19seventeeCustom · 03-22-2011, 04:17 PM

I can see it,, doesn't look too safe to me!!!

what is the purpose of raising the ball joint?

67swb72klb · 03-22-2011, 04:21 PM

x2 shakeeee

nikwho · 03-22-2011, 05:07 PM

The purpose is to lower the stance of the truck. Poor mans lowering kit. I'd either buy new arms or at a bare minimum, take it off, clean it up and box the hell out of it!!

jimmydean · 03-22-2011, 05:38 PM

There is a shop nearby that offers these, I never liked the looks of them and it's only about $50 more for drop spindles.

LONGHAIR · 03-22-2011, 07:16 PM

IMHO, it is not triangulated enough to have the strength required to support the weight of a small car, much less a nose-heavy truck....and when it fails, it will be catastrophic.
But, of course someone will say that it's been like that for years

SBTork · 03-22-2011, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

IMHO, it is not triangulated enough to have the strength required to support the weight of a small car, much less a nose-heavy truck....and when it fails, it will be catastrophic.
But, of course someone will say that it's bee like that for years

I agree. In this case the risk far, FAR outweighs the reward. Get some stockers on there a.s.a.p. Just my .02

YBNORML · 03-22-2011, 08:32 PM

I wouldn't run it. Not when there are much safer options out there.
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Mike J · 03-22-2011, 09:42 PM

looks scary to me

**lolife99** · 03-22-2011, 09:50 PM

Bryan,... I would throw those away.
To me,... a stepped a-arm is no different that a "drop pocket" designed tubular a-arm,...
like DJM sells.
They work fine with a mild drop spring,... but when combined with a drop spindle,... the lower edge of the a-arm is too close to the ground.

Run some stock a-arms, drop springs and a set of drop spindles,... and you will be fine.

5150 · 03-22-2011, 11:30 PM

thanks guys, that's what I was leaning towards. Just don't like the look of it. csbatey has an extra set of lower arms he said I could have.

broey · 03-23-2011, 01:28 AM

I dont get how that even fit in there. isn't it flaired?

VA72C10 · 03-23-2011, 02:31 AM

Glad to hear you're changing them out. Knowing this will be a family hauler I'd be worried with the way that one was put together.

Rooster's 67 · 04-01-2011, 02:31 AM

Glad to hear your getting rid of those, didnt want to see anyone hurt or killed. The PO must have thought that was a good safe method. but that would scare the hell outta me. and I dont care who fabbed them up, i see all kinds of places for the cracking of metal/and or welds to start from.

its amazing the things some people will do and think its safe. but then again some people need to get out the gene pool, they keep muckin up the water.

ol_skool_chevy · 06-10-2011, 11:24 PM

.Charlies Drop Shop In Portland build a Far better step control arm. its a 2 Inch step which stays above the scrub line and his are Boxed in really well. Classic trucks has done a few write ups about his control arms.
I would agree in drop spindle being better and easier, But thats Only if your upgrading to disk brakes. If your still using your drums the step has been a nice way to go . Again thats ONLY if you dont go over 2 inches,and its boxed in really well

03-22-2011, 05:09 AM	#1
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	How safe is raising the ball joint? I just bought a 72 burb that someone did this too. It has been changed over to a 73 and up control arm. I've obviously seen it done, but was wondering how stable it is. I also plan on getting drop spindles and it has 2 inch coils on it now. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4

03-22-2011, 10:21 AM	#2
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: How safe is raising the ball joint? I'm not sure about the actual stepped control arms, but I would think you might have issues with your scrub line if you combine the stepped control arms with dropped spindles. I would think that it would bump steer with the stepped control arms though. __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

03-22-2011, 10:32 AM	#3
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	Re: How safe is raising the ball joint? __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4 Last edited by 5150; 03-22-2011 at 10:43 AM.

03-22-2011, 10:40 AM	#4
smashingchuck It'd be alot cooler if you did Join Date: May 2003 Location: Three Rivers, MI Posts: 2,345	Re: How safe is raising the ball joint? pic doesn't work... __________________ 78 Build Thread 4Runner Build

03-22-2011, 10:44 AM	#5
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	Re: How safe is raising the ball joint? Can you see in now? __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4

03-22-2011, 04:17 PM	#6
19seventeeCustom Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Downtown Posts: 573	Re: How safe is raising the ball joint? I can see it,, doesn't look too safe to me!!! what is the purpose of raising the ball joint?

03-22-2011, 04:21 PM	#7
67swb72klb Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: livingston co.mi Posts: 2,471	Re: How safe is raising the ball joint? x2 shakeeee __________________ California 65 GTO---Texas 64 burb 283 ---Oklahoma 67 CST SWB BBW wood bed 327 2004r---New Mexico 72 k10 350 350 auto---Georga 72 short step project

03-22-2011, 05:07 PM	#8
nikwho Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 974	Re: How safe is raising the ball joint? The purpose is to lower the stance of the truck. Poor mans lowering kit. I'd either buy new arms or at a bare minimum, take it off, clean it up and box the hell out of it!! __________________ '59 Apache - 383" SBC/TH-350 '68 GMC - BBC/TH400 Last edited by nikwho; 03-22-2011 at 05:09 PM.

03-22-2011, 05:38 PM	#9
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: How safe is raising the ball joint? There is a shop nearby that offers these, I never liked the looks of them and it's only about $50 more for drop spindles. __________________ New Project: 1966 LWB C20 Plans: 1/2 ton conversion Dropmember front Dropmember rear Corvette discs Restored raised bed http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=4295210

03-22-2011, 08:32 PM	#12
YBNORML Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 3,844	Re: How safe is raising the ball joint? I wouldn't run it. Not when there are much safer options out there. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ --------------------------------------------------------------- Jason. 68’ GMC shortbox https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=794201 72' 2WD Blazer http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=425385 67' LongBox C-10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=691845 InstaGram ybnorml67

03-22-2011, 09:42 PM	#13
Mike J vw guy & now c-10 guy Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Louisville,KY Posts: 483	Re: How safe is raising the ball joint? looks scary to me __________________ '68 long fleet Finally made some progress on the build!!! My Build Thread

03-22-2011, 09:50 PM	#14
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: How safe is raising the ball joint? Bryan,... I would throw those away. To me,... a stepped a-arm is no different that a "drop pocket" designed tubular a-arm,... like DJM sells. They work fine with a mild drop spring,... but when combined with a drop spindle,... the lower edge of the a-arm is too close to the ground. Run some stock a-arms, drop springs and a set of drop spindles,... and you will be fine. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 Last edited by lolife99; 03-22-2011 at 09:51 PM.

03-22-2011, 11:30 PM	#15
5150 C10 Club Tennessee Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: White House, TN 37188 Posts: 8,281	Re: How safe is raising the ball joint? thanks guys, that's what I was leaning towards. Just don't like the look of it. csbatey has an extra set of lower arms he said I could have. __________________ Bryan www.gmtruckshow.com Project "Andes"-Halen's First Truck Project: Patina Burb for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:4

03-23-2011, 01:28 AM	#16
broey Square Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Phoenix Arizona Posts: 1,568	Re: How safe is raising the ball joint? I dont get how that even fit in there. isn't it flaired? __________________ Squarebody Syndicate

03-23-2011, 02:31 AM	#17
VA72C10 VA72C10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 25,267	Re: How safe is raising the ball joint? Glad to hear you're changing them out. Knowing this will be a family hauler I'd be worried with the way that one was put together. __________________ Looking for a 67-72 swb or blazer project in or around VA.



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04-01-2011, 02:31 AM	#18
Rooster's 67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: DFW Posts: 765	Re: How safe is raising the ball joint? Glad to hear your getting rid of those, didnt want to see anyone hurt or killed. The PO must have thought that was a good safe method. but that would scare the hell outta me. and I dont care who fabbed them up, i see all kinds of places for the cracking of metal/and or welds to start from. its amazing the things some people will do and think its safe. but then again some people need to get out the gene pool, they keep muckin up the water.

06-10-2011, 11:24 PM	#19
ol_skool_chevy Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hillsboro, Oregon 97123 Posts: 1,300	Re: How safe is raising the ball joint? .Charlies Drop Shop In Portland build a Far better step control arm. its a 2 Inch step which stays above the scrub line and his are Boxed in really well. Classic trucks has done a few write ups about his control arms. I would agree in drop spindle being better and easier, But thats Only if your upgrading to disk brakes. If your still using your drums the step has been a nice way to go . Again thats ONLY if you dont go over 2 inches,and its boxed in really well Attached Images __________________ Measure with a yard stick Mark with Chalk Cut with a torch Built it yourself, don't count on others to to do it for you or with you. It will never get done

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