'72 510 ball joints

[AceOfDiamonds0]

I am in need of new ball joints in the front.

 

My question is how extensive are these to replace and are there factory replacements available anywhere or can I use ball joints from something like a 280zx or 620 or something?

[Tristin]

You can get them from RockAuto. Very easy to replace. Cheap too.

[AceOfDiamonds0]

Ok awesome! A lot cheaper than I was expecting.

 

They would the front lower correct?

[AceOfDiamonds0]

Ignore that last question. They all say front lower. *face palm*

[Tristin]

Lol yes, only lower and only in the front. It's an easy swap. Shouldn't take you long.

[AceOfDiamonds0]

Ok thanks man I appreciate it.

 

I need to look on rockauto more often lol.

[q-tip]

Its a total of 7 bolts to remove the lower ball joint, pretty easy job

[john510]

Make sure to order the right ones,there are two sizes.11 mm and 14 mm.

[Tristin]

You want the larger 14mm. The smaller ones are '68/'69 ball joints.

[Ratwagon1600]

Every ones right, this is not a hard job.

 

Trick is to jack the car up high enough so you can get decent downwards leverage on the control arm

 

Use jack stands! And place them under the chassis rails.

 

This is the post size you want.

 

 

Post if you need more info.

[john510]

You want the larger 14mm. The smaller ones are '68/'69 ball joints.

Not necessarily,my 71 has 11 mm on it.I ordered 14 mm and had to send them back.

[Ratwagon1600]

Not necessarily,my 71 has 11 mm on it.I ordered 14 mm and had to send them back.

Unusual, but certainly not unheard of.

 

Down here, the cutover year for the change in ballpoint size was for the 70 model 510

[Tristin]

Not necessarily,my 71 has 11 mm on it.I ordered 14 mm and had to send them back.

Unusual, but certainly not unheard of.

 

Down here, the cutover year for the change in ballpoint size was for the 70 model 510

 

I guess there are rare cases where they are different, but 70+ should be 14mm. Maybe at some point someone swapped your control arms to early units John.

[AceOfDiamonds0]

I'm not sure if they were the 11mm or 14mm. I ordered it off of rockauto and it didnt specify which one it was so I guess I'll find out when it gets here.

[q-tip]

If its for 70 or newer if should be 14mm

[AceOfDiamonds0]

Got the ball joints today and they are the 14mm ones.

 

What grease do I put in those?

[AceOfDiamonds0]

Another question. Do the old ones need to be pressed out and the new ones pressed in?

 

I'm having some trouble getting the old ones out. :hmm:

[AceOfDiamonds0]

Never mind. I got the old ones out. Took a little elbow grease and a hammer lol!

[q-tip]

Just all purpose grease works just fine

[cimarronlibre75]

Thanks