[a421cat]

Ok here is the dilema. Can I use 66 lower control arms on a car that had 65 control arms with the welded plate over the ball joint. If Ido this do I use a late steering knuckle and late tie rod ends?

I can fab up new steel plates and use the early lower control arms and steering knuckles but I do not have the early tie rod ends and does it matter?

What parts can I mix and match.

Yes I had a heck of a time sourcing made in America ball joints. No white box crap please.

[LASJayhawk]

Yes, that was the 2nd service replacement (The 66-70 arms) No need to change anything else.

[Terry M. Hunt]

That is exactly what I did years ago when restoring my '65 2+2. Didn't change anything but the lower control arms.

[a421cat]

Thanks for the input. Just to be clear. 66 lower control arms,late knuckles and late inner and outer tie rods. Align according to the manual add gas and drive.

[LASJayhawk]

You can use the early stuff if you want to (knuckles and tie rod ends) with the 66 arms. shouldn't even need an alignment with just the control arm change...

[a421cat]

This is what I have. Early steering knuckles but I do have later knuckles as well. Only have late inner and outer tie rods. Moog # ES 716,717 and ES 356. I have the 66 control arms installed with new Moog lower ball joints and the early steering knuckles and the coil springs look crooked. There is no motor or trans in the car so there is no weight on the suspension.

[LASJayhawk]

IIRC the spring pocket in the lower is in a different position on the later arms, you need to spin the spring so the end is in the pocket.

you are missing 600+ pounds on the front end and that will change the geometry as well

[a421cat]

Great. Thanks for the advice. I am not going to sweat the spring angle until the motor is back in the car. I will finish the steering install this weekend. Body work next.

[a421cat]

Final update. The 66 lower arms don't work. Used my 65 lower arms,made up the steel plates that cover the ball joints, installed the joints then welded the plates. Springs are now vertical as they should be. Thanks for all the input.

[63gpman]

Why did they not work? There should not have been any change in the lower arms other than how the ball joint was attached. may have looked slightly different, but the geometry is the same.
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The early to late change had to do only with the tie rod ends and the steering arm on the knuckle per my understanding.

[1965 Pontiac Parisienne]

I replaced the ball joints in my January 65 builded Bonneville..carefully cut out the extra plate ...drilled out the ball joints and swaped..installed the old plate screwed and rewelded ..looks nice as new and works fantastic ...why using 66-70 control arms ???
With the welded plate it's extra strong ..