help with ball joint

[TKEpy237]

Busted the one of the ball joints on my tubular control arms. I bought the car with the arms all ready installed and the previous owner can't remember what brand they are. I bought a stock ball joint, and it won't fit. The only numbers on the old ball joint are, 1188RALN105. Any help would be great.

 

[bill302]

probably a gm balljoint, carry it to napa auto parts they have catalogs with dimensions and measurements of specific ball joints and should be able to match it up...do you have any idea about manufacturer or part number for the tubular control arms this will probably help you better locate a replacement...

 

[TKEpy237]

no idea of manufacturer of the control arm, no markings on it at all. Its black and has the provision for a sway bar, thats all I could tell ya. I will try napa tomorrow.
Thanks

 

[HISSIN50]

I also might try and think of all the different aftermarket control arm manufacturers and then Google Image each one until you find something that looks like yours. When that happens, get more info on that particular arm (like seeing if any part numbers match up).

Good luck.

 

[Darkwriter77]

Probably better off just buying a new set of arms. If one ball joint fails on its own, chances are the other one will crap out in the not-too-distant future, too, and that's just crappy quality, there. Buying new arms is a more expensive option, but hey ... fix it once and be done, and maybe have a better-performing set while you're at it.

Now would also be a good time to throw on a set of struts or coil-overs, if you can afford 'em, since you'll have everything apart, anyways...

 

[thehueypilot]

Post a picture of it and maybe someone can ID the manufacture from the photo?

 

[TKEpy237]

I was in the process of upgrading to sn95 spindles and couldn't get the passenger side ball joint lose. The nut moved on me and I screwed it up beyond repair. I already have a upr bump steer kit, upr caster/camber plates, and unkown coilovers. I already have the rear and driver side done. Just need a stupid ball joint. Other than brakes, there is basically nothing left to upgrade suspension wise. I was just doing the basic sn95 front brakes with ranger axles. It atleast gets me in the door for future wheel and brake upgrades. Thanks again.

 

[TKEpy237]

Thanks for all the help. I think after about 3 hrs of internet time, they are pa racing control arms and the have either trw ball joints or mcquay norris ball joints. I have a part number and hopefully will have the car back on the ground tomorrow.

 

[TKEpy237]

Went to Pep Boys, the factory McQuay Norris ball joints fit like a glove, have no clue why the factory ball joints from Advance and Autozone wouldn't fit. Will be finished tomorrow. By the way got my spindles, calipers, rotors, and axles from a local yard for $150. Bought new drums, pads, and am getting the rotors turned. I might order some stainless brake lines, just haven't made up my mind yet.

 

[HISSIN50]

If the first set of BJ's you got were 'too big', some aftermarket BJ's are indeed a hair bigger to accomodate mushrooming of the boss in the control arm.

In any case, glad to hear you got it whipped.

 

[TKEpy237]

No, the o.d. of the other ball joints was at least .200" too big. No where close to fitting the a arm. The new one would almost slide in, press fit. Thanks again for help.