I'm replacing the factory riveted upper ball joints on a 1969 Cutlass Supreme.

I removed the old one and it had a metal retainer between the flange of the ball joint and the top of the upper control arm.

The new one that I purchased from Napa (NCP 2601064) cane with instructions that say to put the ball joint through the control arm and then put the boot and retainer on from below.

Why does the new part call for the retainer to be put on from the bottom when the factory had the retainer on top, and does it matter?

I can post pictures tomorrow if needed.

 

Put it together as per the manufacturers directions.

 

^^^X2^^^, Why, I don't know but I'd rather have the ball joint directly against the control arm vs a dust boot shim. Make sure all contact/mating surfaces are as clean as possible.

Good luck!!!

 

My educated guess is that the OEM assembly sequence was selected to help hold the boot and retainer in place during the riveting process. Having the rivet set against the thin sheet metal retainer and a compressible rubber boot probably made it more difficult to get consistent rivet upsets. That's not a concern with the bolted replacement ball joints.

 

Thanks everyone. I'm always trying to learn more as I'm working on things so your comments are appreciated.