ball joint pin problem

Will98D · 07:02 AM

I bought two lower ball joints from PP for a 1974 914. The original joints and one of the replacement parts I got had a V-notch cut in the stem that goes up into the strut housing. The V-notch one went in no problem. The second replacement part had a semi-circle cut into it for the pin, not a V. I have tried probably 10 times to line it up and get the pin to tap in place but cannot. It goes in part way and then hangs up with about 8mm of the pin sticking out. I’ve tapped it with a wood dowel, and if I try to drive it any harder it starts to leave indentations in the pin. If the thread were longer I could probably tighten the nut up and have it work fine but it's not.

The guy at the PP parts line said that both of them work the same, but I cannot get this half-circle one to work. Is there some special trick to making the round one work? Does the pin not go in as far with the round one? (they end up almost flush with the V-notch part).

I appreciate if someone can get back to me with a quick response… my car is plugging up the garage. I'm thinking I may need to get PP to find one on the shelf with a V.

Kevin Powers · 08-13-2005, 05:40 AM

i think you have either a mismatched set of balljoints or strut tubes. early style used a wedge and bolt and the later just the tapered bolt. word of caution, do not try to draw the bolt in with the nut. it will prob twist off and a replacement is kind of spendy. clean things up very well, lube the bolt and hole and drive the bolt in with a drift and hammer until the non threaded end is flush. mind the torque value.

k

Will98D · 08-13-2005, 06:26 AM

Kevin... thanks for the reply. I have the later style for both sides, I think the problem is that the new ball joint is a different design. Looking at the pic on the website for the new part you can see it has a V cut in it, as did my original ones and one replacement which went in fine. The one I'm having problems with just has a half-circle cut in the stem, and the parts guy at PP said "same thing". I'm a pretty good mechanic, and this is not going together as-is. I oriented the joint stem properly, started tapping in the pin, then it goes just so far and binds up because the stem rotates and starts to cut into the pin. The p/n on the Lemforder box is the same for each, so at this point I guess I have to either demand that I get sent the V-notch style, or grind the pin a bit to match the new part. I'll give them a call when they open in a few hours.

Will98D · 08-13-2005, 07:05 AM

OK... through a number of searches I have seen pics of the 70 - 72 style, 901 341 049 00, and of the later 73 - 76 style 901 341 049 01. The early one has a semi-circle like the one I am having problems with, and the later one has the V-notch. I think an early one must have gotten into a late-style box (the p/ns were correct, I checked both boxes). Have to wait until they open up and get another one on the way. Sucks to have the wrong part when you use half a vacation day to work on the car and then find out the time was wasted.

Zeke · 08-14-2005, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Will98D
OK... through a number of searches I have seen pics of the 70 - 72 style, 901 341 049 00, and of the later 73 - 76 style 901 341 049 01. The early one has a semi-circle like the one I am having problems with, and the later one has the V-notch. I think an early one must have gotten into a late-style box (the p/ns were correct, I checked both boxes). Have to wait until they open up and get another one on the way. Sucks to have the wrong part when you use half a vacation day to work on the car and then find out the time was wasted.

Yes, that sucks. Many sellers check the contents of boxes before they ship. Apparently Pelican doesn't do that.

Kevin Powers · 08-14-2005, 10:14 PM

i have no doubt the crew at pelican will make good on their mistake. i doubt they will make you pay for any further shipping. tell them you require the correct item NOW!! ask for the correct item to be shipped express. please get back to us with the results. stand up vendors are hard to come by these days.

k

toyvo75 · 08-15-2005, 08:34 PM

Nothing like getting a bad part from a new box. That is one of the reasons I rarely instal a new condenser when I replace the points. I have installed more bad new condensers than condensers I know to have gone bad from wear. If the points are not ashed dont replace the condenser. I HATE THAT WHEN IT HAPPENS.

Will98D · 08-16-2005, 07:06 PM

Pelican took care of it pronto like anticipated. Parts should be here by the weekend. Thanks!