Front ball joint ?

[48-kb1]

Hi happy weekend everyone, I was wondering if there is a preferd manufacturer for 65'- 69' front ball joints or are clarks good to go. Thanks.

[66vairguy]

Hi happy weekend everyone, I was wondering if there is a preferd manufacturer for 65'- 69' front ball joints or are clarks good to go. Thanks.

I am not aware of any auto parts vendor that sells LM Corvair ball joints. Corvair vendors have them made up "off shore" since OEM companies stopped making them for the Corvair. Others may know of alternatives.You may find them on ebay, but there are reports the part do not always fit!

Some has posted the "offshore" ball joints wear out FAST!! Of course no details or mileage reported. Since most of us don't drive our Vairs much we don't know how long the will last.

Clark's, Corvair Ranch, California Corvair sell them. Check prices and shipping for your area. Better not delay as when they are gone prices on new "offshore" orders could be significantly higher.

I am amazed at all the "characters" online whining that their "offshore" orders have tariff charges THEY have to pay before the package will be delivered. What rock have these folks been hiding under for the last few months

[isucorvair]

I've been 'collecting' balljoints for a bit for a few projects. I had a few NOS GM balljoints that had quite a bit of looseness right out of the box. NORS "Big A" brand, and TRW, new in the box both appear exactly the same, and have boots that dont exactly seal. Some other mystery brand ones look good, though one side seems to always need to be greased.

I have the Clarks balljoints on my autocross car (well...on the suspension that WAS in my autocross car). I beat on that car pretty hard, with the front end significantly low, and they seemed to do ok. Still tight, and not leaking.

Sorry for the double-pic post. RIP to this car.

[48-kb1]

COOL vair my friend thank you for the info clarks it is.

[66vairguy]

Good feedback from isucorvair --- One thing I'll add is when folks complain about "offshore" ball joints wearing out is they never talk about LUBRICATION. This balljoint design was meant to be LUBRICATED via the zerk. If you just put them in and drive --- you will wear out faster. You don't have to overfill them. Since I don't drive my cars a lot I put ONE or two pumps of grease in each ball joint once a year - about 1,000 to 2,000 miles.

For as long as cars have been built - getting owners to do regular maintenance has been a loosing battle and why most cars have "sealed" suspension parts now - no lube for life.

My Dad was not a "car guy", but he drove a lot across the country for his job in a Chevy wagon full of sales/engineering manuals. Keeping the car in good shape was important. He always had the engine oil and the suspension lubricated every 2,000 miles. He would typically drive his car 120,000 miles before a trade in AND THE CAR HAD THE ORIGINAL ENGINE AND SUSPENSION that worked fine at trade in.

Fun story --- He was before the judge for too many "speeding points" and said, "I can show from my car's service records I drive much more than the average person and they should count to allow me more speeding tickets in a year". IT WORKED! HE KEPT HIS LICENSE WITH A WARNING NOT TO GET A SPEEDING TICKET FOR A YEAR! He drove very carefully for the following year

[Dennis66]

Fun story --- He was before the judge for too many "speeding points" and said, "I can show from my car's service records I drive much more than the average person and they should count to allow me more speeding tickets in a year". IT WORKED! HE KEPT HIS LICENSE WITH A WARNING NOT TO GET A SPEEDING TICKET FOR A YEAR! He drove very carefully for the following year

Too many tickets. Another crock. When I was a kid, I too got too many tickets. You were allowed a certain number of points per year, too many points and your license was suspended for 30 days hands down. What really ticked me off was you go to court and some drunk is getting to keep his license "because he has to get to work". Too many points and you're on your bicycle.
FWIW, I had gotten a railroaded ticket that was a 4 point instead of a 3 point. The cop later ended up getting in trouble for (illegally) arresting an ex-girlfriend's new beau, then internal affairs after an internal DUI, then finally arrested and fired for extortion. Real piece. A couple of weeks later I had an "incident" at a blinking red light (cop car that had th eblinking yellow was sliding sideways trying to not hit me - he didn't. He was still shaking as he wrote me the ticket. Finally, a minor accident where I was charged, and another 4 pointer that put me ONE point over.
Me, another Cop I knew well also knew that I shouldn't have gotten the first ticket. He got it "fixed" for me. As a driverlicense preservation action, I traded my really fast Chevelle 2 door wagon for a ratty '66 Elcamino with a 6 banger. It worked (I also had my '65 Monza at the time).

[caraholic4life]

.... I traded my really fast Chevelle 2 door wagon for a ratty '66 Elcamino with a 6 banger....

I would almost be willing to bet that you would like to have that two door wagon back today...
My guess is that it was a 1964 or 1965....

[66vairguy]

Fun story --- He was before the judge for too many "speeding points" and said, "I can show from my car's service records I drive much more than the average person and they should count to allow me more speeding tickets in a year". IT WORKED! HE KEPT HIS LICENSE WITH A WARNING NOT TO GET A SPEEDING TICKET FOR A YEAR! He drove very carefully for the following year

Too many tickets. Another crock.

My story is another crock --- that was nice of you

[Dennis66]

No your story is not the crock, I actually found your dad's story interesting. The way they enforce is the crock. I have nothing but full respect for al you have offered to this forum. I apologize for the wording that led to a misunderstanding.

[Dennis66]

.... I traded my really fast Chevelle 2 door wagon for a ratty '66 Elcamino with a 6 banger....

I would almost be willing to bet that you would like to have that two door wagon back today...
My guess is that it was a 1964 or 1965....

If I had a huge warehouse to keep it in. 1964, I believe it was a "300" (plain Jane). It came with a Powerglide and a 230 inline 6 that was the "performance model", chrome valve cover, air filter top, and all fuel and vacuum lines chromed. Had a special cam that gave it 155 HP instead of the standard 140 HP. Was only available on Chevelles and Chevy IIs. The cam lost a lobe and I ended up replacing the engine with a low mileage 307 and turbo 350 from a "70 Chevelle. Because of the low axle ration from the 6, the car was very quick.
Recently have seen a couple of the same wagons on FB marketplace. One was turn key, the other a project. I'll stick with my Corvair project for now.

[66vairguy]

No your story is not the crock, I actually found your dad's story interesting. The way they enforce is the crock. I have nothing but full respect for al you have offered to this forum. I apologize for the wording that led to a misunderstanding.

My mistake - that's grammar for ya! I also enjoy your contributions.