I thought that I was going to finish up the spring install this morning when I went into the shop. All I had left to do was tighten and pin the ball joint nuts, I thought!
When I. tightened the right lower nut it stopped even with the top of the ball joint stud. It should have come thru about another 1/2".
After securing the spring so that it wouldn't pop out I removed the spindle. The spindle hole was .930 and where it was sitting on the ball joint stud was .985, big difference.
I looked in my parts book and it appears that there were 2 lower ball joints available.
1962-p/n 586712 and 1961-1963 1396309, was there a difference in sizes? The left lower ball joint fits as advertised.
Any help appreciated.
Dennis

 

dennis what car was this on I cant help but that info might help

 

Were there not two different suppliers? Moog and Saginaw? You have to identify your parts and have the matching parts to have things fit correctly.

 

Sorry, 1962 Starfire convertible.
Dennis

 

I believe the p/n 1396309 ball joint did say saginor in the parts book. I'll measure the center link tomorrow to find out if it's a saginor front end, but then what, how do I get the fight ball joint?
Dennis

 

Would Joe P or Charlie J please have a look at my problem. I also noticed that instead of a slot on the top of the stud, the number 065 is stamped.
Dennis

 

Here are notes I gathered years ago, which might be relevant -

The lower ball joints for a '62 Olds, all models, is a MOOG K-5047. They were only used that year. I have several pair available. dlmarx@bellsouth.net

Saginaw type Tie Rods are Identified by a plastic cover or a metal cover with an "S" stamped into it..
ALTERNATE TYPE (TRW), is identified by a plain metal cover with no "S"

State if steering linkage is Saginaw type or TRW type.
In order to determine type measure the pitman arm end centerlink stud at the end of the taper nearest the threads.
Saginaw measures .587, TRW measures .556.

Brand new in the GM box, Olds #582787 "ROD ASSY" or center link for all 1961 and 1962, 88, 98, and Starfire models and all other full size Oldsmobiles equipped with the TRW steering linkage. It crosses to Moog/TRW/McQuay Norris #ES635.


Also -
TRW TIE ROD (Right)
Brand:GM
Part Number(s):583427
ProductName: Thompson Ramo Wooldridge (source of TRW acronym)
Cross Interchange Parts MOOG ES300L
RareParts 25375
583426 = TIE ROD (Left)

5676915 Tie rod (Left) Saginaw
5676916 Tie rod (Right) Saginaw

Lastly -




Hope this helps?

 

These are new ball joints, bought at the same time a couple of years ago. The left side fits fine. Could it be a mixed stock problem with other 60s models.Thanks for all the good info. I'll measure.
Dennis

 

Look closer Dennis . The 586715 number is for all except F-85 ( 88, Super 88 , 98 & Starfire) . The 1396309 number is for F-85's.

The TRW vs. Saginaw thing was only with steering linkage parts . There was only one kind of ball joint used .

You obviously have the wrong ball joint , What are the numbers and make on the packages ? You probably have a mis-packaged or mis-identified part .

 

The lower ball joints have been on the control arms for years, I have just now got around to installing them on the frame. Packaging is long gone. I see what your talking about in the parts book after a closer look.Looks like it time to spend &&&&&& on a new ball joint or the machine shop I use might be able to take a few thousand off of the stud at less expense.
Oh well, as someone around here says" if it wasn't hard (and$$$$$$) it wouldn't be fun."
Dennis

 

I have the 1961 - 1962 OLDS FULL SIZE LOWER Ball Joints ++ Brand NEW ++
They are NOT inexpensive......
You are welcome to call -- Craig -- 516 - 485 - `1935.... Long Island, New York....