Replacing Ball Joints? Read This!!!!
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I've learned my lesson. I replaced all my front end parts with new parts. Today (11-19) I made a bank deposit and drove away from the ATM machine. Well the right front side of the car droped down.???
I got out and looked at the tire and the #$#$##@@ lower ball joint nut came right off the shaft, Nut and pin, Gone. It was stripped right off. The threads were still on the shaft. When I put the new nuts on I thought they were different but they were new(better). Wrong.
The older nuts that we took off were the oem style. I should have used them. I had the car towed home and fixed the problem. I put the older style ones back on.
Now I'm going to call the CO. and give them a earfull, It's about the nut and the bulge that I have in the fender. Small one but still It **** me off. I was lucky that it happened when I was just rolling. Imagaine if I was going on the highway!!!!!![speed limit of course, yeh right]
If you do change them check the castle nuts and make sure that they are the hardened ones. It'll save you a tow and other aggravations.

Bob 69 Blue 502

That's scary stuff bob. Your talking about your 69? I would've never thought the replacement nuts could be that cheap. You are lucky you were just rolling. How bad did it bow your fender? I think I'd be calling them about that as well.

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Steve
67 SS 396,4-sp
67 RS 327,4-sp
72 RS 350/350
69 4X4 suburban 350,4-sp
73 3/4 ton 454/400
http://www.geocities.com/stevocamaro

There's not that much damage, a little bend to the fender behind the mud flap. I have small mud flaps on the car now and I bought some NOS ones on e-bay. Thay are a little larger. They'll help with the stones coming off of the road and will help with the look of the little bulge.
Yes I was lucky I was just rolling.

Whoa. I've just replaced two sets of lower ball joints. I used TRW brand. Is this the same that you used? I sure hope not. What did you use?

i recently did (finished) my front end, but not been to alignment shop yet, no tags,but i'll be sure to check out and have the front end guy check it also...


...thanks for the warning.

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My68Camaro (http://hometown.aol.com/Dougs68Camaro/index.html)
Doug G.
68 Camaro
406 ci.

This is from CrossRamZ11:
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I can attest to what Bob has said. The EXACT same thing happened to my '69 about 4 years ago. I had just returned from a 300 mile trip to the U.P. in Michigan for the St. Ignace show. On the way back, I had burned a collector gasket, so the next day, I replaced it, took it around the block to check for leaks, pulled into my driveway and BANG!! The driver side front dropped onto the frame and skidded to a halt. When I got out to survey what had happened, the front tire was sideways, and had wiped out the front fender!. Upon further investigation, I saw the nut from the lower balljoint laying on the ground, I picked it up and to my surprise, it was totally clean on the inside, smooth, the threads were gone. I checked the ball stud and guess what, the threads were still on the stud, in the grooves. Needless to say I was not happy. After a brief stint as an Engineer for TRW Steering Systems, I realized that this is exactly what will happen if the nut does not go through the proper heat treating process. I guess I was the unlucky one to get this lemon part, and my car paid the price. (The only good thing was the insurance company wanted me to pay for the new balljoint and installation, and they would buy the new panels and pay for bodywork, I convinced them that the only defective part was the nut, and I only had to pay $0.59 cents!!!) I only thank God that this thing didn't let go at 65 mph on I-75 the day before.
Jeff

Thanks for the info. I am about to put my new suspension parts back together and I would have passed on the old nuts till now.
You message just saved my nice 71 RS 402 and maybe me!

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1966 SS Chevelle LS-7,4-speed
1971 RS Camaro 402,4-speed

Da-n, thats hard to believe because even a no grade is tough. although soft. But, I guess soft IS the problem. Sure am glad this is being pointed out.

Just goes to show you what kinda Q/C the place making the castle nuts has. Probably bought on low bid and are from China.

Glad you're not hurt. pdq67

so what brand was this? i just got done doing my front end with PST stuff and put the new nuts on, but saved the old ones. its a hassle, but after reading this i might just put them back on.

john

The nuts that were new had a brighter look to them. Not hardened I would presume. The Co. is McQuay-Norris (US Co.) If you're putting new balljoints on I would just check the nuts before hand. I put this message up to prevent a major headache. I'm lucky, It could have been a major problem if it happened a the night before. I hope this helps someone. Have a good and safe Holiday.

Bob
http://www.geocities.com/guitarest_99/member.htm



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69 Coupe
Frame-Off Resto, ZZ-502/502 Crate, A/C, Grifin Rad., March Serpintine Sys., 2800 Stall with HughesT-400, 9" with 370 Gears.