73 RR LCA ball joints

Ralph Cali · Sep 7, 2015

I am doing a complete restoration of my suspension on my 73 RR.

Just put in the k frame after powder coating everything going smoothly until I tryed to remove the old LCA ball joints.

The service manual states they are screwed in like the uppers which I already removed. The existing LCA ball joints look different no corners on the top of the ball joint for the screw in tool to grab to.

It is completely round.

Advice ?

Ralph

YY1 · Sep 8, 2015

Somewhere during the late 73 run they changed to press in ball joints for the 74 model year.

That's the theory I have and have seen a LOT of supporting evidence.

Ralph Cali · Sep 8, 2015

YY1 said:
Somewhere during the late 73 run they changed to press in ball joints for the 74 model year.

That's the theory I have and have seen a LOT of supporting evidence.

Thanks

So that means I need to have them pressed out at a machine shop ?

How will I know if they were screw in and someone put the press in ones in ? what kind of damage would be evident.

Thanks ralph

vetteman91 · Sep 8, 2015

I agree with YY1. My 74 has one of each in it due to a bent lower control arm I found while doing my restoration. If there are no flat sides on the ball joints then they were pressed in.

mobileparts · Sep 8, 2015

'73 Screw Ins were a 1 year only -- the '74 & up were a PRESS FIT --- and Yes, you must use them and only them in this case -- and have them
pressed by a machine shop.....
Besides, the '74 & up are far less expensive than the '73 threaded ins ----

Bruzilla · Sep 8, 2015

Can't you use a ball joint press that you can borrow from Autozone for free? That's what I use to remove and install press in ball joints on my Crown Victorias.

Ralph Cali · Sep 9, 2015

Bruzilla said:
Can't you use a ball joint press that you can borrow from Autozone for free? That's what I use to remove and install press in ball joints on my Crown Victorias.

Someone in the know told me to use the screw in type (since I already have it) and as long as it was a tight fit and holding good should be fine. The threads are pretty narrow and to use a air tool on it.

I was going to give it a try to see if it is basically the same size.

Thanks Ralph

YY1 · Sep 9, 2015

Nooooooooooooooooooo.

Your life is at stake.

Bruzilla · Sep 9, 2015

I can tell you from experience that ball joint failure only tends to occur at low speeds, but when it does the results are quite spectacular and not in a good way.

Ralph Cali · Sep 9, 2015

Bruzilla said:
I can tell you from experience that ball joint failure only tends to occur at low speeds, but when it does the results are quite spectacular and not in a good way.

Guys thanks for the great information.

Thanks Ralph

73 RR LCA ball joints

Ralph Cali

Well-Known Member

YY1

Well-Known Member

Ralph Cali

Well-Known Member

vetteman91

Well-Known Member

mobileparts

FBBO Gold Member

Bruzilla

Well-Known Member

Ralph Cali

Well-Known Member

YY1

Well-Known Member

Bruzilla

Well-Known Member

Ralph Cali

Well-Known Member

Similar threads