Ball Joints

[Kenova]

I'm thinking about changing my Vega over to a 5 stud bolt pattern with some bigger brakes. I would prefer to use the '67 - '69 F body or '68 to '74 X body spindles and brakes. The spindles are about the same height as the Vega's, and they have removable steering arms in case it should be necessary to alter them.
The upper joints are no big deal. that job can be easily handled by enlarging the big hole and drilling new ones for the mounting bolts. The lowers are a different story.
The options are:
-- cut down some F body ball joints to fit into the arm (if they can be cut that far). This would be a real pain if I ever had to replace them.
-- weld in an appropriately sized sleeve (if such a thing even exists) in place of the original Vega ball joint hole to accept the f body ball joint.
-- cut up an F body lower control arm and weld the ball joint hole to the Vega's arms.
I personally would prefer the second option, but I don't know if such a sleeve can be had. I guess it would be possible to have some made if I can find the proper dimensions.
Can anybody shed some light on this or offer some suggestions?
Thanks
Ken

[chicane67]

AFX spindles.

The spindles can easily accept the taper inserts that fit what you already have. All Shane will need to do is the correct taper and its depth into the insert itself and load it into Solid Works....

Get the most, with the least amount of headache.

[David Pozzi]

If you are lucky, Camaro upper balljoints may bolt in.

[Kenova]

AFX spindles.

The spindles can easily accept the taper inserts that fit what you already have. All Shane will need to do is the correct taper and its depth into the insert itself and load it into Solid Works....

Get the most, with the least amount of headache.
I would love to use the AFX spindles. Unfortunately they would restrict me to at least a 17" wheel. The current tires are only 23" tall, and I really don't want to go much taller than 24 1/2". With the Vega just being a "cruiser" I would preffer to have at least 4" of sidewall on the tire.
If someone can come up with a rotor and caliper combo for the AFX spindles that will let me use 15" wheels, I'll place my order right now. Untill then I'll just find some way to put the F body ball joint in the Vega's lower control arm.
Ken

[shep]

A quick search for ball joints from autozone shows that the lower ball joint is the same part number for a 73 vega and a 69 camaro just guessing on the vega year. The uppers are a different part number but may have the same taper and stud size.

[Kenova]

A quick search for ball joints from autozone shows that the lower ball joint is the same part number for a 73 vega and a 69 camaro just guessing on the vega year. The uppers are a different part number but may have the same taper and stud size.
Thanks, but mine is a '77. It has bigger joints :smoke: .