While at Myrtle Beach one of the tech session was on the suspension of
the GMC. The general consensus of the Knowledgeable people there,
(Chuck Stoddard, Jim Bounds and others was that the use of the larger
bolt and nut to secure the ball joint is a good things and that they
also would tack weld both the bolt head and the nut with a MIG welder to
secure them in the A-arm. Stoddard also suggest that the Ball joint
itself could be also be spot welded to the A-arm. If the ball joint
would ever have to be replace in the future the weld could be ground off.
J.R.Wright
77 Eleganza II
GMC Greatlaker
Midland, Mi
>
>
>
> not enough since the ball joint ear holes are oversize (11/32) and if
>
> not clamped tight will allow the ball joint to work. >>
>
> Frank -- my suggestion was not to tack weld the 5/16 bolt but what I had
> indicated was that I replaced it with a 3/8" bolt and in addition put a couple
> of small tacks on the new bolt head, used loctite and used lock nuts (not just
> lock washers). My reason for the weld tacks was that in the event the nuts
> loosened, the bolt would hopefully still be held in place until my next
> inspection determined the problem. If anyone else does the weld, be sure that
> it is done very carefully so as not to hurt the temper of the bolts or
> surrounding metal.
>
> Emery Stora
> 77 Kingsley
> Santa Fe, NM
