Lower Ball Joint

[matt]

As I was doing my annual repacking of my front wheel bearings I noticed some play in my front left lower ball joint. Any advice on the best source for replacement parts and any tips on replacing it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[jensenracing77]

I have no experience changing them yet but I got NOS ones from eBay. What year is your car? I believe Oldsmobile made a couple changes to them between 61-63. I also believe 63 is a half year where they used two different ones in one year.

[62cutlassconvert]

There are two styles of ball joints, press in and thread in. You need to make sure you get the right type. Rare Parts in stockton CA makes good stuff with a stock and sometimes an upgraded part called their Diamond Series-if you can buy at jobber rate good prices, Fusick olds has them I think, Kanter Bro but probably pricey, there are others as well, or try for the NOS somewhere.

I’d do a thorough check of all of them if you have a bad one, especially lowers.

[62cutlassconvert]

There are two styles of ball joints, press in and thread in. You need to make sure you get the right type. Rare Parts in stockton CA makes good stuff with a stock and sometimes an upgraded part called their Diamond Series-if you can buy at jobber rate good prices, Fusick olds has them I think, Kanter Bro but probably pricey, there are others as well, or try for the NOS somewhere.

Your shop manual has full procedure for replacement. Keep pressure on ball joint to prevent it from turning when working nut.

I’d do a thorough check of all of them if you have a bad one, especially lowers.

[joe_padavano]

I just rebuilt the front end on my 62 before Power Tour. I used a Kanter complete kit. Mine are screw in ball joints. I did have a problem with one of the ball joints being machined undersized. Kanter resolved the issue and sent me two new ones within two days. Great customer service. I provided pictures of the issue in this thread:

http://oldsjetfire.com/forums/topic/kanter-comes-through/

[matt]

Thanks for the responses.I am guessing the thread in has a large hex on it and the press in doesn’t? The car has 54,000 original miles on it and all other joints appear tight.

[joe_padavano]

Correct. The thread-in ball joints have a hex.

[matt]

Yep, it’s a thread in. Anyone ever buy from FCRC Machine? They have the thread in for $114.95. The link is below.

http://fcrcmachine.com/rare-parts-lower-ball-joint-1961-1963-buick-oldsmobile-pontiac-10835/

[jensenracing77]

Looks kind of expensive to me but if that is all you can find then maybe not. I have one extra NOS screw in ball joint at home but not sure if it is a upper or lower. If it is what you need I would let it go for $80. I will look tonight and see what one it is.

[jensenracing77]

Looks like my extra NOS ball joint is a 1961 upper ball joint. Part number 5675725. Looks like I can’t help. Sorry

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