Long Metric Ball Joints

[brummi5050]

Does anyone have a Moog part number for longer upper and lower ball joints for a metric front end? We have an all stock 79 regal. I want to be able to buy at the parts store instead of racing ball joints. Thanks!

[keithbaker]

Not sure about uppers. Lowers are moog 6117 or trw (cheap) 10264. May have to ream out spindle, can't remember for sure.

[brummi5050]

Thanks! I think the upper is from a mid 70's chevy pick up

[backspace]

Uppers are K6136

[stock car driver]

Uppers are K6136

Those are large bolt pattern they dont fit in metric bolt pattern.

[brummi5050]

Yea I got the same number and looking at the perch on the A arm, doesnt look like any room to go bigger. Anybody else?

[raceman17]

I get the truck ball joints for like an 85 model chevy truck. The ball joint will fit through the opening on a stock a arm. You will have to elongate a few of the mount holes but it will work.

What i did when I switched over to the aftermarket tubular a arms was to mount the ball joint from the bottom side of the arm because the ball joint would not fit through the mount hole. I was just using the cheap autozone type ball joints. they bolted up fine with just elongating a few of the mount holes.

[brummi5050]

Ok. so its an 85 chevy full size 2wd pick up. Which is the same K6136 number.

[stock car driver]

That will work we have rules here and cant elongate holes etc.

[brummi5050]

Got it. Do you know of any that are direct bolt in? Im thinkin my rules are the same, but im gonna get ahold of the tech guy to verify before I buy anything.

[stock car driver]

yeah afco has a low friction that is long and oem bolt in pattern. I dont know the number just get cross for moog 5208 with longer shaft.

They are 35-40 bucks each.

I just run oem Ive tried some longer howe ones and they bent too easily for me.

[brummi5050]

Cool thanks! We are just wanting to get the upper a arm angles better for camber gain and wanted the cheaper option. 40 bux for a ball joint is pricey, but if they bolt right up then its probably worth it. i have a parts house sponsor that gives me a pretty good price break on oem stuff so I will hit the books.

[cassellracing24]

I agree with jeff, Tall ones bend to easily & I can't say I seen any diff in drivability. I use the cheaper brand that Oreilly's sell & replace every winter or if somebody decides to use my front end to turn. $14

[brummi5050]

Yea its tough trying to make this front end worth a crap leaving all points in stock location. We arent supposed to move the a arm mounts and have to use stock stuff. Is there any other GM parts that I can interchange to improve my geometry? Hell camber gain and a littler more caster would be nice! Thanks

[Moldymulldoon]

Check out the posts about impala spindles. That will help your search.

Moldy

[keithbaker]

We usually take ball joints back to the parts store to exchange, they are always under warranty. Impala spindles 5x5, camaro spindles are 5x4.75, both are taller than metric.

[brummi5050]

Yea i was reading about camaro spindles. I cant move my a arm towers and I think if I try to bolt up the camaro spindle it puts a bunch of negative camber in the RF. Do U use a different upper A arm?

[keithbaker]

We use tubular uppers, got a set from ub machine that bolt on the stock mounts. the way they are made, you can cut and shorten them to whatever length you want.

before we could run them though, we always cut the stock one to whatever length it needs to be. another thing you can do to help with camber is set the lower ball joint on top of the lower a-arm and move it as far out as you can get it and weld it in place.

or you can also cut the mount off and move it in but not sure about your rules.

[brummi5050]

We are stock everything pretty much. I think I can slot the upper tower holes and use tall ball joints. The front end doesnt feel that bad which is good, but I know what it will do if its closer to where it needs to be. My intent is to try not to modify a bunch of stuff to get there. If Im using stock GM parts that to me is ok, but cutting up parts and mounts isnt in the cards for me. I want to kick some leaf spring ass and not get dinged in the tech area!

[keithbaker]

Yea i was reading about camaro spindles. I cant move my a arm towers and I think if I try to bolt up the camaro spindle it puts a bunch of negative camber in the RF. Do U use a different upper A arm?

Just noticed you wrote negative camber on rf, thats whats you want. Ignore all that other stuff I wrote, was thinking positive camber for some reason.

[brummi5050]

No Im wrong. LOL whichever is bad camber thats what it does. Pushes the top of the wheel out too far. Sheesh maybe i should have googled it before I posted. BTW thanks for all of your input. Hopefully we can get it done right.