Early Ball Joints & Knuckle Arms

[mdbrandy]

Question for the experts: When I rebuild the front end on my very early 240Z (11/69), it is my understanding that the ball joints that fit the early knuckle arms are NLA, and that I have to either ream out the existing arms, or replace them to use available joints. Now, I have a '78 280Z parts car sitting here in the garage to use as I want - can I just take the arms from it and bolt them onto my 240Z struts? Is that all that is really required?

Thanks!

[Marty Rogan]

MArk,

I just went throught this same situation. I have a 6/70 240Z. Definitely the early ball joints are NLA from Nissan. I thought I could get away from this problem by using aftermarket Moog ball joints. Wrong! They would not fit the original knuckles either. I ended up geting some used knuckles from Z Barn.

Supposedly, you can ream them out. However, I took mine to a good machine shop, and due to the tapered hole, they said they couldn't ream it out.

I believe all of the knuckles from 72 - 78 were the same. Pull them off the 78 and compare them to the 240. the only difference should be the diameter of the ball joint hole. I wish I had a parts car sitting around to pull from.

Marty

[mdbrandy]

Originally posted by Marty Rogan

I wish I had a parts car sitting around to pull from.

Thanks, Marty. I think you're right - I was just looking for people who might have done it - like you :classic: . My parts car was going to be a real car until I let it sit and rust out for 8 years. Now it is mechanically OK, but VERY rusty, and as a species that is not as desireable as the 240Z that I found this year, I'm going to canibalize it. I'm going to use the 5 speed, and some other stuff, like hopefully the knuckle arms on the 240Z. I'll keep the L28 and see if I can build a hot-rod 240 at some later time from another body shell or something.

[geezer]

I'm bringing up this 6 year old thread just to update the availability of the early ball joints. Not too many of us interested in this but for those who are or those who have the early version "quik steering" knuckles and need the early ball joints to mate up properly, here it is.

http://www.carpartsdiscount.com/auto/parts/70/nissan/240z/ball_joints/ball_joint_lower.html?3593=37536

They seem to be of good quality, come with the rubber boot, spring clamp, castelated nut & cotter pin, as well as the zerk fitting. Just a note: the rubber boot is different than the later replacements.

[Dan S]

thanks geez.....been looking for a place like this...have you dealt with them?

[geezer]

thanks geez.....been looking for a place like this...have you dealt with them?

These ball joints are the only items I have bought from them so far. They shipped quickly with tracking and accepted PayPal for payment. You know as well as I, how much more convenient that is for us outside of the US. I have test fit these and am very happy with them. I will be able to use the "quik Steering" knuckles I have now because they are the early version. Otherwise only cars up to serial number HLS30-07985 came with the early ball joints. Ball joints and steering knuckles have to be matched up as sets, early or late. The same vendor has the later version available as well. They seem to be high quality parts and are labeled "made in USA" but I didn't get the name of the manufacturer.

Edited December 1, 2009 by geezer
added pic

[cbudvet]

Its interesting that this came up today. When I got home from work this evening there was a package on my doorstep. It contained the replacement ball joints and knuckle arms. I got mine from MSA. The ball joints are replacement but the knuckle arms are nissan parts. I have an early model 240z and these are the later ones but had ordered these 6 months ago. They were backordered. I wish I knew about the new place. Oh well.

carl

[Dan S]

These ball joints are the only items I have bought from them so far. They shipped quickly with tracking and accepted PayPal for payment. You know as well as I, how much more convenient that is for us outside of the US. I have test fit these and am very happy with them. I will be able to use the "quik Steering" knuckles I have now because they are the early version. Otherwise only cars up to serial number HLS30-07985 came with the early ball joints. Ball joints and steering knuckles have to be matched up as sets, early or late. The same vendor has the later version available as well. They seem to be high quality parts and are labeled "made in USA" but I didn't get the name of the manufacturer.

I ask as the ball joints I have were included with the puchase of the 72 but they don't seem to seat all the way, as I have done ball joints before. The knuckles are the originals. I just was looking for the correct part, good price.

The parts have are labeled "autopart international" pn# 05260

k-9011

As yet I have not been able to confirm the application. Any ideas? I have done some quick search but nothing yet.

[zed2]

Check Autozone part numbers FA1044 and FA2026 for the 11mm ball joint, also fits a 1969 Datsun 510. I wanted to purchase some extra spares several years ago and found that I had to order about 10 of these part numbers to ultimately have some 11mm spares. (I knew that I would have to use my OEM spares for my project and wanted to have some backups.) After I received some 14mm ball joints in error, the store manager was kind enough to call the distribution center and request they measure the ones in the warehouse to confirm 11mm prior to shipment.

Make certain you get the ball joints with the Zerk fitting and castle nut with cotter pin. Some of the ones available now are sealed and use a nyloc fastening nut.

Keith

[geezer]

The parts have are labeled "autopart international" pn# 05260

k-9011

As yet I have not been able to confirm the application. Any ideas? I have done some quick search but nothing yet.

I haven't come across that part number Dan. There is also a German produced one made by Meyle offered on the carpartsdiscount site for $15. that I noticed too. Quite a price difference between manufacturers.

The 11mm ball joint Keith pointed out from Autozone shares the same part number as the ones I bought, but at an even better price - $31.99. The USA manufacturer is Duralast. That is the best deal yet that I've seen for the 11mm early version.

Until recently I didn't realize they were still available anywhere. I first came across the carpartsdiscount part #MNFA2026 about a month ago. They had 20 available. I told a few people about them that I thought might have an interest and today noticed they are down to 10 available.

I find it amazing that these parts are still available to replace 40 year old parts, especially since they were only originally fitted to cars up to HLS30-07985. Probably, only because beefier replacements are available.

Edited December 2, 2009 by geezer
added a final thought

[Mat M]

About 6 months ago, for my car, I ordered these from here

They are Moog, with 555 in the casting. These seem to do the trick! I didn't replace my steering knuckles, but they did also have a pair of outer tie rods that fit well. IIRC, they accept PayPal, as well.

[edit] Crap. They're more now than when I bought them! [/edit]

Edited December 2, 2009 by Mat M

[mbarjbar]

Well, several months ago, I ordered ball joints from Beck/Arnley. They are the wrong size for my 5/70 240Z. Guess I'll ordered from the other site. Anyone need ball joints? Cheap.

Mike