I purchased a Helix Mustang II front suspension package through Ebay (Big mistake) for my 36 Chevy truck project. I'm having an issue with the ball joints that came with the kit. It ended up being a reseller that I bought it from, so Helix tech support doesn't want to know me...Anyhow, the ball joints screw into the A-arms and they were preinstalled. The threaded end of the ball joints sticks way up past the seat of the spindle, so the hole for the cotter pin is way above the castle nut when the ball joint is seated into the spindle. I'm guessing I have 2 options (Stack washers or other spacer to take up the slack, seems very hokey) or redrill the hole down lower on the shaft? Any input or ideas would be appreciated! My knowledge on front ends is pretty limited...
This is actually not an uncommon problem with any MII kit using the Chrysler thread-in ball joints. I have seen spacers that go on after the spindles in quite a few manufacturers kits. Helix is still a **** product.....but this isn't why.
Hey Wood . Just curious as who on Flea Pay you bought HELIX stuff from .I have noticed several threads on here from people complaining about quality of stuff purchased .I have been looking at steering columns on ebay and seen acouple for sellers selling stuff for much less than American street rod parts companies.Please lets us all know who's products you are unhappy with so we can all stay away . Oh by the way "Welcome to the HAMB " from another Idaho guy .There are a fair amount of us around .
I changed a lot of those ball joints over the years,even when used in the mopar application the replacement ball joints came with a spacer.
The reseller was "AutoThisWorld Sales" but I thought I was buying from Helix direct through Ebay. The Helix kit included an "Installation DVD" that was nothing more than a 5 minute comercial. Total ****. I would recommend everyone avoid their stuff at all costs! Thanks for the posts, I'll probably go with a spacer of some sort. I have a buddy that is a college welding instructor with access to the shop on weekends. I'll see if he can machine something up for me... </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></SPAN>
You need a spacer that is at least 3/8 thick that will slip over the stud to take up space under the nut. I made mine from 1" diameter steel bar and drill it out to 1/2 inch. Cut it to 3/8 inch and filed it flat on both sides.
You are going to discover that those balljoints have very limited travel compared to a set of OEM ones, or replacements from Moog or NAPA. If you are running air bags, you might want to ditch them right now, and replace them with a set of the aforementioned ones. The replacement ones will come with the spacers, too.
What a bummer dude! Pisses you off for sure when your sold **** like this, they really need a good kick in the balls!
I'm just now getting around to installing the front brakes and am finding out that things get worse with this POS kit. Nothing fits right...
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