Is my Ball Joint Broken? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

62much · 03-25-2010, 11:34 AM

1962 1/2 ton - My lower ball joint shaft rotates 360 degrees... when I try and tighten the nut, the whole shaft turns. I've had people say just put pressure on it until it seats on the spindle, etc. but then again half the people say ITS BROKE, and it's not supposed to rotate 360 degrees, and that I need to replace it $$$$$$. Does anybody know if these older Ball Joints are supposed to rotate like this? or am I going to have to replace them. Any Suspension/Brake people out there that can give me any suggestions.

63 & 64 Bowties · 03-25-2010, 11:44 AM

No, it's gonna rotate. It's just that if it rotates REAL easy, it needs replaced. Could you rotate it by hand before you put it in?

62much · 03-25-2010, 11:52 AM

YES, It actually rotates pretty easily by hand.

sailed2japan · 03-25-2010, 12:41 PM

You should probably replace it, then as it's getting worn ball joints aren't very expensive I think only like $20. You could also install the one you've got and have a friend give the tire a good shake by pushing and pulling on the bottom of it. While they're doing that look at the lower ball joint and if you can see the spidle moving around in relation to the lower A-arm it is DEFINATELY time to replace it. Otherwise just get it done as soon as you find the time.

Also remember that your lower ball joint is what holds up the front of your truck!

62much · 03-25-2010, 12:47 PM

Unfortunately, Lower Ball joints for this year truck cost $145 to $189 each, so if I don't have to replace them, it's a GOOD THING

chopper john · 03-26-2010, 12:57 AM

not broken, but worn out . you should change it

sailed2japan · 03-26-2010, 01:06 AM

And if you loose a front wheel on the highway it's a ver, very bad thing.
I would do some checking around. I bet you can find them alot cheaper.

sailed2japan · 03-26-2010, 01:14 AM

Alright I did some shopping and they are expensive. It seems they are very different from later years. maybe it's time to step up to coil springs?

chopper john · 03-26-2010, 02:10 AM

sailed2japan is right. get rid of the torsion bar set up . and upgrade

**Chevy Fleetside** · 03-26-2010, 11:17 AM

Upgrade... upgrade... upgrade... upgrade.. upgrade...

You can pretty much get the whole later model crossmember for the price of one ball joint.

**Matt's k5** · 03-26-2010, 03:10 PM

i paid 80 bucks for 2 off of ebay for my 62 i have had them on for 2 years with no problems they were a pain in the ass to remove though

03-25-2010, 11:34 AM	#1
62much Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: HILLSBORO, OR Posts: 137	Is my Ball Joint Broken? 1962 1/2 ton - My lower ball joint shaft rotates 360 degrees... when I try and tighten the nut, the whole shaft turns. I've had people say just put pressure on it until it seats on the spindle, etc. but then again half the people say ITS BROKE, and it's not supposed to rotate 360 degrees, and that I need to replace it $$$$$$. Does anybody know if these older Ball Joints are supposed to rotate like this? or am I going to have to replace them. Any Suspension/Brake people out there that can give me any suggestions.

03-25-2010, 11:44 AM	#2
63 & 64 Bowties and a few others Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Blue Ridge Mountains of VA Posts: 5,638	Re: Is my Ball Joint Broken? No, it's gonna rotate. It's just that if it rotates REAL easy, it needs replaced. Could you rotate it by hand before you put it in? __________________ Bill US Army Vet -193rd Infantry BlueRidgeMuscleCars.com “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated” Gandhi

03-25-2010, 11:52 AM	#3
62much Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: HILLSBORO, OR Posts: 137	Re: Is my Ball Joint Broken? YES, It actually rotates pretty easily by hand.

03-25-2010, 12:41 PM	#4
sailed2japan Jonny Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Outside the Box, Austin,TX Posts: 741	Re: Is my Ball Joint Broken? You should probably replace it, then as it's getting worn ball joints aren't very expensive I think only like $20. You could also install the one you've got and have a friend give the tire a good shake by pushing and pulling on the bottom of it. While they're doing that look at the lower ball joint and if you can see the spidle moving around in relation to the lower A-arm it is DEFINATELY time to replace it. Otherwise just get it done as soon as you find the time. Also remember that your lower ball joint is what holds up the front of your truck! __________________ 1966 C30, Cummins, stacks, and a flat bed in progress... "Honor.....simply put, A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve is someone who, at one time in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including his life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it." -AEC Hundley USNR

03-25-2010, 12:47 PM	#5
62much Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: HILLSBORO, OR Posts: 137	Re: Is my Ball Joint Broken? Unfortunately, Lower Ball joints for this year truck cost $145 to $189 each, so if I don't have to replace them, it's a GOOD THING

03-26-2010, 12:57 AM	#6
chopper john Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: anaheim ca Posts: 274	Re: Is my Ball Joint Broken? not broken, but worn out . you should change it

03-26-2010, 01:06 AM	#7
sailed2japan Jonny Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Outside the Box, Austin,TX Posts: 741	Re: Is my Ball Joint Broken? And if you loose a front wheel on the highway it's a ver, very bad thing. I would do some checking around. I bet you can find them alot cheaper. __________________ 1966 C30, Cummins, stacks, and a flat bed in progress... "Honor.....simply put, A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve is someone who, at one time in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including his life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it." -AEC Hundley USNR

03-26-2010, 01:14 AM	#8
sailed2japan Jonny Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Outside the Box, Austin,TX Posts: 741	Re: Is my Ball Joint Broken? Alright I did some shopping and they are expensive. It seems they are very different from later years. maybe it's time to step up to coil springs? __________________ 1966 C30, Cummins, stacks, and a flat bed in progress... "Honor.....simply put, A veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve is someone who, at one time in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America', for an amount of 'up to and including his life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it." -AEC Hundley USNR

03-26-2010, 02:10 AM	#9
chopper john Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: anaheim ca Posts: 274	Re: Is my Ball Joint Broken? sailed2japan is right. get rid of the torsion bar set up . and upgrade

03-26-2010, 11:17 AM	#10
Chevy Fleetside Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Francisco Posts: 4,782	Re: Is my Ball Joint Broken? Upgrade... upgrade... upgrade... upgrade.. upgrade... You can pretty much get the whole later model crossmember for the price of one ball joint. __________________ "A man and his truck, what a beautiful thing" 65 Short Fleetside BBC 65 Long Fleetside 283 3 on the tree for now. my build thread http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=259536

03-26-2010, 03:10 PM	#11
Matt's k5 BLAZER THIRTY!! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Utah Posts: 325	Re: Is my Ball Joint Broken? i paid 80 bucks for 2 off of ebay for my 62 i have had them on for 2 years with no problems they were a pain in the ass to remove though __________________ 49 chevy 5 window 20 year project (sold)😟 57 ford fairlane (dad's car never got to it before he passed away R.I.P I LOVE YOU DAD.) 62 GMC 305 V6 custom L/B 72 HIGHLANDER K5 BLAZER 2nd owner 71 K5 MAMMA'S RIDE! 63 GMC 4X4 305 V6 62 GMC SHORT BED SERVICE BODY V6 (STUMPY) 74 GMC CUSTOM 1500 L/B



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