SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1969-1970 Boss 302/429 => Topic started by: shelbydoug on November 25, 2023, 07:53:37 PM

Title: Boss 302 Trans Am adjustable ball joint kit
Post by: shelbydoug on November 25, 2023, 07:53:37 PM
Are the kits shown in the Off Highway Boss 302  Chassis booklet still available anywhere?
Title: Re: Boss 302 Trans Am adjustable ball joint kit
Post by: gt350shelb on November 25, 2023, 07:59:03 PM
I have not seen one in a long time
Title: Re: Boss 302 Trans Am adjustable ball joint kit
Post by: shelbydoug on November 26, 2023, 07:14:24 AM
Quote from: gt350shelb on November 25, 2023, 07:59:03 PM
I have not seen one in a long time

I can't find a listing to them anywhere or anything on the internet.

I have a new pair in my stash. Apparently the tide went out and I am finding stuff.

I don't know whether to use them or put them up for trade for a new Corvette even swap? Only ancient Neanderthals like me even know what they are?

They are the wrong shape to use as a Clovis point on my spears.
Title: Re: Boss 302 Trans Am adjustable ball joint kit
Post by: gt350shelb on November 26, 2023, 12:32:22 PM
think i have 1 left  looking for a mate .
Title: Re: Boss 302 Trans Am adjustable ball joint kit
Post by: shelbydoug on November 26, 2023, 12:33:00 PM
Quote from: gt350shelb on November 26, 2023, 12:32:22 PM
think i have 1 left  looking for a mate .

Does Deb know?
Title: Re: Boss 302 Trans Am adjustable ball joint kit
Post by: TA Coupe on November 26, 2023, 05:06:51 PM
I think there was talk about them on the boss website within the last month or two.

       Roy
Title: Re: Boss 302 Trans Am adjustable ball joint kit
Post by: shelbydoug on November 28, 2023, 10:03:21 AM
Here are a couple of pictures of mine.
Title: Re: Boss 302 Trans Am adjustable ball joint kit
Post by: crossboss on November 28, 2023, 01:02:24 PM
Sell them to a T/A racer who 'may' need them. IF you want to go racing for fun, use a modern set up.
Title: Re: Boss 302 Trans Am adjustable ball joint kit
Post by: shelbydoug on November 28, 2023, 01:14:50 PM
Quote from: crossboss on November 28, 2023, 01:02:24 PM
Sell them to a T/A racer who 'may' need them. IF you want to go racing for fun, use a modern set up.

I'm not sure why they would have been needed back then except for an adjustment at the track with little time available?

I think the point of running in "Vintage" is that it is not a modern set up and as such present other challenges. I would not expect any of those cars to be competitive with a modern version. That is not the play at hand and not really the point?
Title: Re: Boss 302 Trans Am adjustable ball joint kit
Post by: gt350shelb on December 05, 2023, 08:42:36 PM
 we never found a good reason other than..... If you damaged one at the track it was easy to replace .
Title: Re: Boss 302 Trans Am adjustable ball joint kit
Post by: shelbydoug on December 05, 2023, 08:50:00 PM
Quote from: gt350shelb on December 05, 2023, 08:42:36 PM
we never found a good reason other than..... If you damaged one at the track it was easy to replace .

I agree in the sense that in order to install them, you need to drill out the factory rivets, then bolt everything together. Then since the ball joint itself disassembles, you can just rebuild the joint rather then having to replace the entire lower control arm.

That isn't an overwhelming reason but they do seem to be a unique T/A feature? I've never seen them used anywhere else, on any other car.
Title: Re: Boss 302 Trans Am adjustable ball joint kit
Post by: gt350shelb on December 05, 2023, 09:06:04 PM
May have also been stronger  than the ford ones 
Title: Re: Boss 302 Trans Am adjustable ball joint kit
Post by: shelbydoug on December 06, 2023, 09:53:52 AM
Quote from: gt350shelb on December 05, 2023, 09:06:04 PM
May have also been stronger  than the ford ones

The bottom plate is thicker in the T/A kit then the original ball joint plate so yes it should be stronger considering it is definitely heftier?

I relaize that boxing out things like the lower control arm are kind of standard for race car builders to do, learned from an education of hard knocks,  but I don't see where that is even close to being necessary on these cars.

The 65 type ball joint with the extended flange that the strut bar bolts through does a pretty good job of beefing the control arm up also.