Ball joint penalties?

[Gary S.]

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...+joint+judging

In reading this post and similar ones I am confused. My wife will tell that this isn't unfamiliar territory but I thought I would pose the question based on my earlier post about control arms, ball joints and bushings.

From the newest 1970-1972 TIM&JG (what a beautiful accomplishment this is, btw!) "For safety reasons replacement front ball joints are not be penalized; however, use of nuts and bolts for attachment to A-arms are not OEM and should be recognized as such." From the referenced post and others, it appears that a very minor deduction is made for the bolts versus rivets. However, no deduction is made for aftermarket ball joints. Is my interpretation correct? Apparently, other Corvette generations judge differently? However, my point of reference is not to say "if not 1970-72, then why not others." I am just looking to see if my interpretation is correct.

Thank you as always.

Gary

[Ron G.]

[Gary B.]

Re: Ball joint penalties?

The language "For safety reasons replacement front ball joints are not be penalized; however, use of nuts and bolts for attachment to A-arms are not OEM and should be recognized as such." has been in the 70-72 TIM&JG for years and years and years. Probably since Version #1.

But, I have been instructed by the 68-69 and 70-72 Team Leader, that when a new update to the TIM&JG is made, the kinder and gentler approach to judging ball joints needs to be "corrected" to be judged like other years. So... the language "For safety reasons replacement front ball joints are not be penalized" will be removed from the manual to be consistent with what other years are doing.

Gary Bosselman

[Gary S.]

Re: Ball joint penalties?

I guess my original question is valid in a more direct form - what is the judging penalty for bolted versus riveted aftermarket (and obviously) replacement ball joints for 1970-72?

[Gary B.]

Re: Ball joint penalties?

Current 70-72 Judging sheets is 4-points originality and 4-points condition for all four ball-joints. If over the counter ball joints are riveted in, you could loose 20% for configuration, 20% for date on originality. If they were bolted in, you could loose another 20% for installation. So, either 40% of 4-points or 60% of 4-points.

If the lower ball joints were replaced, but the uppers are original, then you would be working with 2-points instead of 4-points.

Condition becomes subjective to the judge, but if they are clean you would not loose many points there, if at all.

Gary Bosselman