I am at wits end,, its been almost 15 years since my last chevelle and I am starting to wonder why I started another restoration it was supposed to be fun and help relieve stress yeah right.. I understand putting back something you did not take apart or installing different year components you will run into trouble.. but steering and suspension parts....I purchased all Moog steering & suspension parts to rebuild my Front end nothing fits right center link is the same overall length of the one I took out but the passenger side tie rod hole is about 1 1/2 closer to the tire no big deal tie rod adjustment should make up the difference... now the upper ball joints bolt holes do not match up I can get 2 bolts in and the others will not go :mad: I checked with the parts store and they say thats the only listing they have they should work, I used to change these things without a problem years ago what happened !!! I am sure there are plenty of guys that rebuilt front ends did anyone run into this problem ???????? HELP PLEASE BEFORE I QUIT...... my rant is over thanks any advise would be great

Tom,
I think I would wait and have someone else double check to see if you got the correct parts. Suspension parts should be the correct size, period. I bought all new Moog parts for my 71 a year or so ago and they all fit perfectly. Might be best to actually call Moog and ask them. If you have to, try a different brand just to see if they fit correctly.

It is possible they were boxed wrong. You may have gotten the correct part number but the actual part is wrong. It is rare but does happen. It may also be possible that the part you removed was not correct. Post measurements and/or photos maybe we can help.

Pictures will be tough at least of the ball joints I can do the center link tomorrow, I removed the upper a arms last weekend and remove the orig (riveted) ball joint out when I compare the 2 side by side over length size looks good but when I place it into the control arm the bolt holes are off approx 1/4 inch I can get 2 of the 4 bolts through the holes,, the boot shield is a little closer but it still isn’t a clear shot, I was going to try a different manufacture tomorrow and see where we go from there, Keep the suggestions coming, I will be sure to update how I make out,
someone had to rebuild there front end in there 67 over the winter,,,what did you use and how did it fit ??????????????
Thanks guys :)

After removing the original ball joint the holes will have to be enlarged for the bolts to fit. I usually use a tapered hand reamer to resize for the bolt to fit. Put the bolt in from the bottom and the nut on top.

Thats interesting I was always told never to enlarge the holes in the control arms, in the replacement procedures that specificly states careful not to enlarge the holes when drilling out the rivits in the control arms ???? i have replaced 3 or 4 sets of ball joints on 66 67 chevelles over the years and never did I have to enlarge to holes, I plan I calling Moog today I will post there comments
Thanks
Tom

Even cheaper off-shore ball joints should fit perfectly. There's no problem enlarging the holes from 1/4 in. to 5/16th in if you use the correct size and grade bolts for the holes. The reason they say don't enlarge the holes is because they need to fit the bolts they supply if you don't use your own. BTW - mine fit perfect out of the box.

If the center link is identical to the original, you need to NOT mount the idler arm to the frame until AFTER the center link is connected to everything else. Otherwise it's difficult to install. Also, if you have the original tie rods in tact, measure the length and match it with the new ones.

About 18 mo ago when I did the front disc conversion I replaced my ball joints, control arm bushings, center link, tie rod ends, shocks and springs. All the parts came from Napa and fit perfectly ('72 El Camino).

I bought all moog for my suspension rebuild, had no issues at all. I bet you got the wrong parts.

Note the answer from store: they "SHOULD" work. Take the parts there or elsewhere and have them check your parts againist another set.

One more thing, I've ever gone to another brand store, asked for the same parts and found them different and correct, purchased them and then taken the originally purchased parts back and showed them why they don't work. I know that's a pain but sometimes the parts guy isn't right. Luckily, I have a good NAPA store that works with me to get me the right parts or finds them for me elsewhere.

HTM,
don't do any drilling.
there is a post about this same situation.
the guy wound up getting the correct balljoints from NAPA. i think they were DANA.
let me find it.

david

here's the link:
http://216.178.81.108/forums/showthread.php?t=470095

david

The only ball joints that I have run across that the holes need to be drilled are from Ground up. Moog should fit without drilling. I do a lot of these. See http://www.leverfamilysite.com/GM_A_body.htm

1st I want to say thanks to everybody that is helping me on this problem,:)
6t7gto that was a great link :beers:,,, I will try a NAPA store tomorrow, I cant agree more the a arms should not require drilling, the picture posted on the link is exactly what mine look like,, I cant believe it,, I thought it was just my dark cloud !!!! Anyway the local auto parts store sent me a different ball joint to try (diff part number) same results so I gave him the upper arm and told him to find something that will fit ! He tried 4 other manufactures and got the same results he called MOOG and they told him "you have to oblong the holes" I say that’s BS I never did that before I am not doing that now, the application fits from 64 to 72 chevelles and all the catalogs I check I find the same results, correct part numbers :( ,, even tried another set of MOOG from a different parts supplier same thing…… so me and my control arm will go to NAPA in the morning..
Thanks again your support keeps me going :thumbsup:

Thats interesting I was always told never to enlarge the holes in the control arms, in the replacement procedures that specificly states careful not to enlarge the holes when drilling out the rivits in the control arms ????Tom
Tom I said to ream the holes. When the ball joints are rivited in it can swedge the hole a little and a reamer will cut that part out and restore the hole to the correct size. Test fit the hole with the bolt until it slides in easily.
I don't know what knd of ball joints they sold you because GM upper ball joints used the same hole pattern on almost every car. F, G & B body ball joints should all fit the arm, the taper and length of the stud are the only difference from the A body.

64, I did not rule out you suggestion of reaming the holes, its not the bolt fitting into the hole it is the holes lining up with each other, 6t7gto left me a link (see post or link below) that shows exactly the problem I am having please take a look and let me know what you think,,,,I prefer not to ream or enlarge the a arm holes but if I have to I will.
Tom


http://216.178.81.108/forums/showthread.php?t=470095

Tom I looked at the pictures and I agree get a different one. The holes in the ball joint are oblong and it still doesn't fit, they need some quality control at the plant. Ironicly the writing stamped into the moog says "problem solver" :D
I used the Napa ones in my 72 and they fit perfect.

64,, I never even thought of that "problem Solver" more like problem maker...
Thanks for the laugh, hopefully the local NAPA has the balljoints in stock. I will be sure to post my finding :beers:

I am glad to say I have received the correct ball joints from NAPA they fit great :) Thanks to everyones advise and experance it all worked out
:beers:

New question, I have all the steering linkage idler arm, tie rod ends and sleeves all good, They gave me a MOOG DS749 fits 68 and up the correct part number should be DS740,,, no one around seems to have one or get one I have been told that parts number is obsolete any reccomendation on where i can get a reasonable priced center link ????? PS: not stuck on MOOG parts any longer NAPA center link was almost 200 bucks !!!!!!
Thanks again for the ball joint help lets see how we do this time :beers:

TTT someone has to have a lead ???

Our site sponser has one for $110, part # DS-740 fits 64 - 67. The DS-749 is only $75. I wonder why. Anyway here is the link (http://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=chevellecamino&Product_Code=DS-740&Category_Code=SUSPENSION)