Dart lower ball joints....

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Tarr

Tarr

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Is it nessasary to switch the lower ball joints when switching to disc? I know the bolt holes line up but the parts stores list different part numbers for drum and disc.

Thanks.
 
I know there are differences somewhere, but my memory fails.
I might be wrong but I think drum spindles have through bolts and nuts where the disc spindle has threaded holes.
 
If you are talking about 65-72 KH discs, I believe the lower drum & disc ball joints are identical dimensionally with the exception of the size of the bolt holes. The disc ones have a larger hole for larger hardware. 73-up ball joints are the same with the exception of the oddball 9 inch drum set-up.
 
the bolt difference. Maybe the drum bolts are longer and interfere with the rotors. Lucky for me, I bought the entire KH set-up and it has a v8 k frame too with manual steering box. This way I've got the bolts.
 
for the 69-72 are the same with no mention of disc or drum. The 73 changed to a different. My car is a 69 and I'm putting disc off a 72 with the small bolt pattern, so the upper's should be the same.
 
the drummed spindle has smaller holes and 1 is threaded to hold the spindle in place so you can remove the backing plate without releasing torsion bar pressure
 
doug 371 said:
the drummed spindle has smaller holes and 1 is threaded to hold the spindle in place so you can remove the backing plate without releasing torsion bar pressure
Click to expand...

i am so lost on this post! the upper and lower bj's... oh wow... are tapered. so unless u undo one of those the torsion bars arn't an issue.
 
I have to agree. The upper ball joints are listed for disc and drums on the 67-72. Upper ball joints changed in 73. The lower ball joint attachés at the lower control arm and separately, to the spindle.

I just found the differnce. The disc bolts are shorter and the drum ball joint's holes are too small for the lower control arms. Wonder how hard it would be to drill them out? My ball joints are good shape and the new ones cost $90 each. The ones for the drum brakes are $130 each.
 

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Tarr said:
I have to agree. The upper ball joints are listed for disc and drums on the 67-72. Upper ball joints changed in 73. The lower ball joint attachés at the lower control arm and separately, to the spindle.

I just found the differnce. The disc bolts are shorter and the drum ball joint's holes are too small for the lower control arms. Wonder how hard it would be to drill them out? My ball joints are good shape and the new ones cost $90 each. The ones for the drum brakes are $130 each.
Click to expand...

oh wow... i feel like an idiot! i forgot the lower ball joint bolted to the spindle! grr thats what i get for working @ firestone...
 
Lower ball joints are quite different on my '65 10" drum than for '73-'76 cars (disk). Not only are the 2 holes bigger on the latter, the centerlines are wider apart.

I bought K781 & K783 ones (Moog PN's) because real cheap (~$18 ea rockauto, Mevotech) and I read on FABO the only difference was that the bolt holes were bigger. I figured I could add tube spacers to make them work. I ended up buying the correct K785/787 ones ($65 ea Autozone). If you want Moog, double above prices.

RockAuto shows shows PN K7021/7023 for 65-72 A-bodies w/ K-H disks. Perhaps those have the same hole spacing as drum ones, but cost almost same, so no temptation to make them work on a drum car. That does buy true Moog or Raybestos.

Re manufacturer, a post on "C-body Dry-Dock" forums shows Just Suspension cutting open their ball joint and Moog's, and claim the Moog's look just like Chinese ones (not shown). They claim Moog's design is inferior (implies could be from China). Actually, I thought the Moog design looks fine, and is certainly sufficient for the upper ball joints shown, which take minimal loads.

The take-away is that I suspect the hole spacing is different on 65-72 disk cars from 73-76 cars (all were disk). BTW, I will eventually sell the wrong ball joints above really cheap, along with other mistaken buys once I finish my Dart.
 
I would just buy the correct parts. Drilling holes can mean weaker material. Washers and nuts or bolt heads through the disc spindle could conflict with the rotors hub
 
Just wanted to chime in on pricing for these ball joints. I am almost finished with a disc conversion on my '72 Demon using '75 Dart components.

I purchased most of my parts through Advance Auto's web site. They have different Promo Codes that will save extra $ too.

The "OE" brand(chinese) lower ball joints are less than $25 each before any discounts. The Moog brand is $56 each. Google search for Advance Auto Parts coupons...you may have to spend a few minutes sorting through to find the "best" current code but I saved several $$'s on my stuff like this. Also, it's free shipping on purchases over $75.

I just checked, and using code LC123($16 off orders of $40 or more - $24 off orders of $60 or more - $32 off orders of $80 or more - $40 off orders of $100 or more!), one lower moog joint was $39.99. Of course, the amount saved would differ depending on how much you spend total.

Hope this helps somebody out...
 
That is amazing!Thanks for the input.
 
Lower joints were 88.95 each. Priced checked them to Autozone and saved $80 dollars on the 2. Always price check, it can sometimes save you big bucks. Most parts house's price match.
 
I screwed up my answer. I converted a 70 to 73 disks; New lower bj, new spindle, new uca and joint. Sorry.
 
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