Balljoint spacers

[Z06killinSBF]

Is there anything to be gained by spacing the upper ball joint away from the A-arm? I need to replace my upper balljoints on my S10 and am looking at different styles. One is a stock replacement and the other is a 1/2" taller at twice the price. Why can't I just get the cheaper stock style balljoints and mount them from the bottom of the arm and possibly build a spacer? Also, is there going to be a noticeable change on a daily street driver between tall and short BJ? I also only see spacers used on lifted trucks, can you do the same to a lowered one?

Stock:
http://www.proforged.com/s.nl?sc=12&it=A&id=1188

Tall:
http://www.proforged.com/parts/Proforged-Tall-Upper-Ball-Joint

Spacer idea:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/07/82326574d97b53870cef6d968100ce2f8d229280-1.pjpg

[knucklebusted]

Is there anything to be gained by spacing the upper ball joint away from the A-arm? I need to replace my upper balljoints on my S10 and am looking at different styles. One is a stock replacement and the other is a 1/2" taller at twice the price. Why can't I just get the cheaper stock style balljoints and mount them from the bottom of the arm and possibly build a spacer? Also, is there going to be a noticeable change on a daily street driver between tall and short BJ? I also only see spacers used on lifted trucks, can you do the same to a lowered one?

Stock:
http://www.proforged.com/s.nl?sc=12&it=A&id=1188

Tall:
http://www.proforged.com/parts/Proforged-Tall-Upper-Ball-Joint

Spacer idea:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/07/82326574d97b53870cef6d968100ce2f8d229280-1.pjpg

I think you are missing the point. It is not to get the control arm away from the ball joint. It is to make the spindle appear longer since that longer shaft is effectively part of the spindle in regards to the ball joints pivot. This allows you to have a better alignment geometry. Mounting the ball joint on the bottom would not change the geometry at all since the spindle effective length would remain the same.

I put these on my car and it allows the tires to stay planted better by having the upper arm nearer to level. When the wheel goes up into the well, it will try to go negative camber. Add in some positive caster and it really livens up an old car's handling.

[Twentyover]

Respectfully disagree with some of knuckles comments.

The spacer does nothing to make the spindle appear longer to the suspension. The geometry is based on the relative position of Pivots. not the angle of the physical arm. The geometry is defined by the virtual A-arm, formed by the pivot points. An extended ball joint keeps the relationship between the arm and the pivot the same, and forms a longer virtual spindle by moving the taper further away from the pivot ball.

Advantage of a longer spindle is noit effected with the spacer as shown in the image

[David Pozzi]

X2
Spacer does nothing for handling. Only benefit of a spacer is it allows more suspension droop for drag racing.

[Z06killinSBF]

So would I notice using the tall ball joints on th street then?

[knucklebusted]

Disagree? I was replying to the tall ball joint aspect as the spacer has no alignment value since there is not shaft in a spacer at all. I thought that is what I said, "I think you are missing the point. It is not to get the control arm away from the ball joint. It is to make the spindle appear longer since that longer shaft is effectively part of the spindle in regards to the ball joints pivot."

OP: I have the ProForged tall ball joints and yes, you will notice a difference on the street if you get a good alignment instead of stock specs. My GS has +5 caster, -1 camber and 1/16 total toe in.

[BMR Tech]

I think you guys are saying the same thing, just in different ways. Maybe this will be clearer to the op. The object is to increase the distance between the centerline of both ball joints. This, in effect, is the same as using a tall spindle. Using the ball joint spacer does not increase this distance and therefore has no effect on geometry...

[knucklebusted]

Again, agreed.

[GRNOVA]

Where did you find the ball joint spacers? I have been looking for those for my buddies 65 Nova.

[Z06killinSBF]

You can find them on google I believe. The ones I was looking at where from Fabtech.

[rentedmule]

So would I notice using the tall ball joints on th street then?

If you pair it with an appropriate UCA and alignment the difference is night and day. I noticed it right away on the street and have heard several others say the same. Just the tall upper BJ made a big difference in grip on the auto-X course as well. I raced back to back weekends without/with the tall upper BJs and the difference in front end grip was huge. I didn't notice quite as big an improvement when I added in the tall lowers.