Hey guys, me and my pops are doing a restoration project on a 1969 Dodge Dart Custom 4-door. One of the last things we are doing is a drum to disc brake conversion on the front suspension. We have removed the old drum brakes and noticed that the rubber dust seal on the upper ball joint (which also holds in the grease) is worn and cracking on both the driver and passenger side. We have done a DIY fix to these rubber covers which should restore their seal and we are pretty much ready to install the new brake system which includes new spindles, backing plates, brake hoses, inner & outer bearings, and lower ball joints. It does not come with new upper ball joints. My question is if I should be especially concerned with replacing the upper ball joints for any reason? I realize its a 50 year old car with likely the original ball joints on it and its probably a good idea to replace any suspension part after 50 years. And they're only about $50 each and if I want to replace them, now would be the time while we're doing this brake conversion. But we've already spent a considerable amount of time and money with ordering parts and waiting for them to come in during this restoration, and my pops doesn't really want to wait the time it would take for the new upper ball joints to get to shipped to us since the originals seem to be working just fine. Since he is more of a car expert than me (and the main financier) we'll probably go ahead and finish the installation with the original upper ball joints in place. However, if anybody has knowledge or experience with these upper ball joints failing/needing to be replaced I would love to hear from you. Or if you have experience with this original part being especially durable please let me know as it would be an ease on my mind. Thank you!

 

Personally I'd replace them now. You're dad has the experience and the $ it sounds like, so his opinion and experience has some "street cred." However, the time and ease of replacement will never be easier! Assuming you drive this for another ten years, (We Mopar guys are always hanging on to our toys) who will help you replace them then? Will Dad still be interested? IMO, front end components that are that old may suffer from "lot rot" and "age deprecation" that we don't see until we start driving them a lot. With your conversion you want a smooth and safe ride. Yeah it always seems to come down to time and money. Good luck. 73 Dart Swinger