what size hole to push ball joints into..

I'm use'n 3/4 ton drop spindles for my 61 chevy 1 ton truck.. the arms are from a 65 1/2 ton.... I need to cut the ball joint hole out of the lower arms and replace it with a section of the proper diamiter pipe to press my new ball joints into. How do i know what size pipe that is? I can measure the ball joint of course, but how much smaller is the hole, than the joint?
Thank you in advance..........Your friend Shawn.
(Hahahhaaaaa)
P.S. See you at SEMA! I havent forgotten that dinner you promised me!

I would use the correct size tubing if you can find it or have some custom balljoint cups made from solid steel. I would not use pipe. Press fits will depend but for that .010"-.015" undersized should be fine. If you make it to small you will split the cup. If you need something custom made let me know I make all of my own cups for my arms.

I think that .010 is a bit too much press when you figure that the sleeve will probably not stretch that easily. I usually make my press fit stuff only about .001 or so. There is a rule of thumb, but I don't know it off the top of my head. Keep in mind too that the sleeve will shrink when you weld to it.

Chris, Max, Thank you both.

if your replacing it why dont you use a screw in sleeve and ball joint it would be easier i think

Supervan: 'Cuz your talking over my head thats why... Hahahhaaa

I saw that you were investigating all that last week,
Not sure how to get the right screw in sleeve to fit the 1/2 ton arm, then have the ball joint that fit in the sleeve be compatable with the 3/4 ton spindle.
who sells the screw ins any way?

go look on speedway motors and look at there, but before you decide to get screw in's try to find or you might have one and that is a tapered reamer cause if the ball joint dont fit you can just ream it out til it does and you dont have to have a machine shop to ream them out for you, thats what i have to do on my astro/safari van

i'll check it out -thanks!

your welcome just trying to help when i can

Originally posted by BioMax



I think that .010 is a bit too much press when you figure that the sleeve will probably not stretch that easily. I usually make my press fit stuff only about .001 or so. There is a rule of thumb, but I don't know it off the top of my head. Keep in mind too that the sleeve will shrink when you weld to it.

I was thinking that with the notches in the side of balljoint that it cuts the new grooves into the cups. Typically on doweled holes they are only .0005" undersized and are a bitch to get out even with a hammer. I typically make my cups .005"-.010" under.