ball joints and idler arm

[William G.]

what is the correct ball joints and idler arm on a ncrs top flight car or does
it matter what brand is used. what should be used if you are going for a top
flight car. car is a midyear 63-67

[Stephen L.]

Re: ball joints and idler arm

Just saw an AD for correct lower ball joints in the DRIVELINE. Aftermarket are not correct for judging....They lack an extension of the shaft and the boot is not secured as original.

Idler arm is non-greaseable and carries a part/casting number...Aftermarket are typically greaseable......

[Gary B.]

Caution on "Correct" ball joints in Driveline

William, Steve,

Just a word of caution about the balls joints in the Driveline that are described as "correct" repros. I haven't inspected them closely, but even in the photo, they don't look 100% correct. I believe that our esteemed colleague, Joe Lucia, has inspected them and he described them in a previous posting as 90% correct. If you want 100% correct ball joints, you are going to have to locate NOS parts.

Gary

[Greg L.]

Re: Caution on "Correct" ball joints in Driveline

Anyone please correct me if I'm wrong but I am under the impression that replacement balljoints and brake hoses will not cause a point deduction because they are not judged. I think I got this from the 68-69 TIM&JG.

[Gary B.]

Ball joints are judged

Greg,

Ball joints are indeed judged, at leaast I know that to be true for mid-years.

Gary

[Dick W.]

Re: Caution on "Correct" ball joints in Driveline

Ball joints ARE judged in 68-72. It is impossible to list every item on the sheets. Brakes hoses are a safety item and are judged accordingly.

[Greg L.]

Re: Caution on "Correct" ball joints in Driveline

Thanks for correcting me on that but now I'm a little confused. Page 79 of the 68-69 TIM&JG, bottom paragraph it says, "Note: replacement front ball joints are not to be penalized; however use of nuts and bolts for attachment to A-arms are not OEM and should be recognized as such." This was what lead me to believe that they are not judged...what then is meant by "penalized" in this case? Thanks.

[Gary B.]

Judging ball joints; seems like an inconsistency

Greg,

I'm confused too. I can't speak to what's in the 68-69 TIMJG or what the intent is. I know that no such disclaimer appears in the latest edition of the '66 TIM&JG. Since essentially the same ball joints were used from 63-82, I don't know why repros would be OK for some years and not for others. That would be an obvious inconsistency, epsecially since one can still find NOS examples.

Gary

[Harmon C.]

Re: Caution on "Correct" ball joints in Driveline

Greg

The 4 ball joints are 4 points on later judging sheets and the way it is worded the use of bolts is a deduction. The TI&JG may not allways be the way things are judged today as changes are made but new TI&JG's may be updated every few years. If opps are 100% ok and their are no big deductions one can get a top flight by using the TI&JG as they are best book out their.
Lyle