240Z ball joints

[Richard McDonel]

My in-restoration 240Z came with a pair if new ball joints - still in the box - but the taper doesn't fit the steering arms. I have now learned that no one carries ball joints for either (depending on who you talk to) 240Zs or 1970-only 240Zs. Mine is a '71, so I'll assume the problem applies to all 240s. I would like to hear from others who have dealt with this problem - is it better to try to track down a set of later (260-280) steering arms, or should I just find a machinist who can enlarge the taper? And if anyone has a spare set of later steering arms, how much $?

Thanks, and happy new year all,

Richard McDonell,

Red Deer, Alberta

[jfa.series1]

Here is a quote from the MSA site:

"If you own a 70 240Z you’ll have to use steering knuckles from a later car (71-78) to use these ball joints, because the 1970 uses a smaller ball joint which is not currently available."

Currently available balljoints should fit the steering knuckles on your '71 car. The catch may be in your build date. If it is a '70 date, you probably have the smaller steering knuckles.

Contact Roger at the Z Barn to get some used knuckles like I did. The cost was $50 plus $10 shipping.

http://www.zbarn.com/index.html

Jim

[geezer]

There are a few threads pertaining to the early balljoints. The 11mm balljoints were still available not long ago.

I can help you out if you want a set of the later steering knuckles, if you can't find them locally.

Have you removed the old ones yet? I would be interested in having you measure them, once removed.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8715

Edited January 3, 2011 by geezer
forgot to add link

[240dkw]

Richard, I am sure I have a later set laying around.

I will email you my phone number.

Dan

[Richard McDonel]

I appreciate everyone's help. I think the matter is now resolved, but a couple of interesting twists.

First, the steering knuckles I already had were apparently not the wrong ones after all. When I inserted the balljoint, it would not seat firmly - there was movement and it could be rocked slightly by hand. Now I have a second set of knuckles, same size as the first, and the ball joint fits as snug as can be. The problem with the original set? I'm guessing that after 40 years of wear, the tapered hole was either out of round, or no longer straight. Any other thoughts?

The second point of note is the effectiveness of this site. I send my query out, it goes all around the world, and the fellow who replies lives less than 4 km from me. I never knew "240dkw" (Dan) who is perhaps the only other guy in Red Deer, Alberta (pop. 90,000) with a stripped-bare 240 in his garage. He contacted me, and offered me his already-sandblasted steering knuckles that will likely end up on my car. Thanks Dan, and thanks to the people who developed this forum.

[geezer]

That's funny! I live a lot further away from Dan then 4kms, but he has been there and helped me out as well, as have several other members from this site. Glad to hear the problem has been resolved.