weld in lower ball joints on new tubular arms? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

c10seconds · 07-12-2010, 06:09 PM

I noticed that the lower ball joints are tac-welded into the stock lower control arms on my truck. I was wondering if its even necessary and whether or not I should do the same on the new tube-CPP arms

cableguy0 · 07-12-2010, 06:12 PM

Ball joints get tack welded when the arm is worn. Generally its done as a precaution on stock arms to prevent the ball joint from falling out. The hole will get looser over time. I would worry about welding on the new arms. The hole should be plenty tight that the press fit will be absolutely fine. They were never welded from the factory.

MotorHead Lon · 07-12-2010, 06:13 PM

Lower balljoints are press in. The control arms you have are probably worn out and the balljoints were tack welded to hold them in. You shouldnt have to weld the balljoints.

*Shane* · 07-12-2010, 07:10 PM

if the ball joint needs to be tack welding in order to stay in the control arm then you need new control arms.

sounds like a half-ass fix to a serious problem

DKN · 07-12-2010, 08:37 PM

You do not need to weld the ball joints into the tubular lower control arms. Some sheetmetal arms get stretched around the lower ball joint so a small weld will help the ball joint stay tight in the arm. Some ball joints are made over-sized. If the arm had an over-sized ball joint installed it will be loose if a regular ball joint is installed afterwards.

Danny Nix
CPP

07-12-2010, 06:09 PM	#1
c10seconds Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: gilbert,AZ Posts: 947	weld in lower ball joints on new tubular arms? I noticed that the lower ball joints are tac-welded into the stock lower control arms on my truck. I was wondering if its even necessary and whether or not I should do the same on the new tube-CPP arms

07-12-2010, 06:12 PM	#2
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	Re: weld in lower ball joints on new tubular arms? Ball joints get tack welded when the arm is worn. Generally its done as a precaution on stock arms to prevent the ball joint from falling out. The hole will get looser over time. I would worry about welding on the new arms. The hole should be plenty tight that the press fit will be absolutely fine. They were never welded from the factory. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

07-12-2010, 06:13 PM	#3
MotorHead Lon Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Alabama Posts: 241	Re: weld in lower ball joints on new tubular arms? Lower balljoints are press in. The control arms you have are probably worn out and the balljoints were tack welded to hold them in. You shouldnt have to weld the balljoints. __________________ 88 Chevy C1500, step side, LS swap. 98 Crew Cab Dually, tow rig. 03 Dodge Neon. ECTA Ohio Mile record holder.

07-12-2010, 07:10 PM	#4
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Re: weld in lower ball joints on new tubular arms? if the ball joint needs to be tack welding in order to stay in the control arm then you need new control arms. sounds like a half-ass fix to a serious problem

07-12-2010, 08:37 PM	#5
DKN Active Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Los Angles CA Posts: 136	Re: weld in lower ball joints on new tubular arms? You do not need to weld the ball joints into the tubular lower control arms. Some sheetmetal arms get stretched around the lower ball joint so a small weld will help the ball joint stay tight in the arm. Some ball joints are made over-sized. If the arm had an over-sized ball joint installed it will be loose if a regular ball joint is installed afterwards. Danny Nix CPP

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