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03-29-2020, 07:06 PM | #1 |
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1962 Thunderbird Ball joint Question
Hey everyone, trying to find ball joints for 62 convertible. Ordered some from Summit, but they are one piece and not for the car. The ones on the car are multiple pieces, with the top cap being integral with the control arms. Were there multiple types used?
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1931 Model A Victoria 1950 Mercury 8 Member: MAFCA, MARC, Northern Ohio Model A Club www.northernohiomodela.com |
03-29-2020, 07:58 PM | #2 |
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Re: 1962 Thunderbird Ball joint Question
Why not go direct to those vendors that specialize in post-'57 T-birds like The Bird's Nest, Pat Wilson, etc? I wouldn't go to Summit for T-bird-specific parts, especially if you don't know what to look for: trust me, I've been around Vintage 'Birds for nearly 40 years (I'm not even 60 yet!) and my first place to go to are those who specialize in them. Support those who support the Vintage T-bird community:
http://vintagethunderbirdclub.net/links.htm
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Alan H. Tast AIA, LEED AP BD+C Technical Director/Past President-Editor-Publications Director, Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l. (VTCI) http://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net Author, "Thunderbird 1955-1966" & "Thunderbird 50 Years" 35+ year member, Crown Victoria Ass'n. |
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03-29-2020, 08:23 PM | #3 |
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Re: 1962 Thunderbird Ball joint Question
Because I live 10 minutes from Summit. I appreciate the links, need to look through and see if there’s one like mine.
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1931 Model A Victoria 1950 Mercury 8 Member: MAFCA, MARC, Northern Ohio Model A Club www.northernohiomodela.com |
03-29-2020, 11:29 PM | #4 |
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Re: 1962 Thunderbird Ball joint Question
Not to belabor the point, but I agree that going to a great place like Pat Wilson's is a good strategy. You probably wouldn't have received the wrong part from them.
Larry's Thunderbirds may not be quite at the level of Wilson's but they're pretty good and you'll be a big step ahead using them instead of more pedestrian parts sellers. Even Mac's will be better than run of the mill places, as far as old car parts are concerned. I've actually had decent luck with Mac's. If you're buying a water pump, no big deal - but it anywhere, but with T-Bird specific parts it's worth paying for a specialty vendor's expertise or at least focus of inventory. Regardless, best wishes on your project! |
03-30-2020, 07:03 AM | #5 |
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Re: 1962 Thunderbird Ball joint Question
As Alan said, go to the experts! Pat Wilson has folks that play with those Birds. If the sales person on the phone don't know it he/she will get someone who will. Never got a single item from them that was incorrect and never felt like I was talking to "Suzy down the street" when trying to sort an issue. Time and money well spent!
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03-30-2020, 12:58 PM | #6 |
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Re: 1962 Thunderbird Ball joint Question
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03-30-2020, 01:56 PM | #7 |
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Re: 1962 Thunderbird Ball joint Question
Thunderbirds and Lincolns didn't have the run of the mill stuff like Fords & Mercury cars did. The early Thunderbirds are more popular so a lot more stuff is available for them than for the Lincolns and later T-birds.
Kanter Auto supplies suspension stuff that is hard to find sometimes. NAPA does have a "Rare Parts" line so it's worth checking even if they have to order it. Last edited by rotorwrench; 03-30-2020 at 02:03 PM. |
03-30-2020, 09:53 PM | #8 |
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Re: 1962 Thunderbird Ball joint Question
Does Summit sell Model 'A' parts?
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Alan H. Tast AIA, LEED AP BD+C Technical Director/Past President-Editor-Publications Director, Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l. (VTCI) http://www.vintagethunderbirdclub.net Author, "Thunderbird 1955-1966" & "Thunderbird 50 Years" 35+ year member, Crown Victoria Ass'n. Last edited by alt63bird; 03-31-2020 at 07:48 AM. |
03-31-2020, 12:11 PM | #9 |
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Re: 1962 Thunderbird Ball joint Question
For Hot Rod Model As I suppose.
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03-31-2020, 04:11 PM | #10 |
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Re: 1962 Thunderbird Ball joint Question
1961/62 BIRD upper ball joint design was unique. However, it does not mean some service replacement designs won't work -
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04-01-2020, 05:20 AM | #11 |
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Re: 1962 Thunderbird Ball joint Question
Thanks for this. Definitely unique. Sometimes I shake my head and wonder what in the heck was Ford doing.
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04-01-2020, 11:50 AM | #12 | |
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Re: 1962 Thunderbird Ball joint Question
Quote:
Are you just looking for a quality replacement or have actually started taking it apart?
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***** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ...
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04-02-2020, 08:18 AM | #13 |
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Re: 1962 Thunderbird Ball joint Question
A lot of guys seem to think when they work on a Ford project they need ball joints,shops have used the "ball joint Scam" for decades to make a profit hoping KULTULZ will share the correct procedure for checking them.
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04-02-2020, 08:40 AM | #14 |
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Re: 1962 Thunderbird Ball joint Question
easy enough to google I am sure there are plenty.
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04-02-2020, 08:56 AM | #15 | |
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Re: 1962 Thunderbird Ball joint Question
Quote:
One should follow the specific year OEM SHOP MANUAL. There is way too much incorrect info on the net, especially on most U-TUBE videos. If I started it would start a fire-storm of posts saying this and that. Getting too old for all that BS ...
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***** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ...
DIAGNOSED CDO - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order) |
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04-02-2020, 09:54 AM | #16 | |
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Re: 1962 Thunderbird Ball joint Question
Quote:
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04-02-2020, 12:34 PM | #17 | |
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Re: 1962 Thunderbird Ball joint Question
Quote:
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***** - WHY IS IT ... - ... that everything you buy in the grocery store is either wrapped in or contained in plastic but the government doesn't want you to carry it out in a plastic bag? WONDERING IN W(BY GOD)V ...
DIAGNOSED CDO - (OCD In Correct Alphabetical Order) |
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04-02-2020, 01:25 PM | #18 | |
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Re: 1962 Thunderbird Ball joint Question
Quote:
Sounds like great advice. I will contribute something generic, however, from my oem '65 T-Bird shop manual that was apparently important enough for the manual to state in bold print: Don't mistake loose wheel bearings for worn ball joints. |
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