I have a 1964 Buick Wildcat and want to replace the upper ball joints. My factory chassis shop manual says the upper control arm and ball joint must be replaced as a whole unit. My upper ball joint assembly is welded to the control arm, yet replacement upper ball joints are available although I see no way to install it, due to the original being welded and not looking the same as the replacements. Can anyone advise me how to do this? Thanks, Art

Check with your supplier and see if upper control arms are also available. If they are then you would have to replace both atthe same time.

It is possible that you might have to do exactly as the service manual says

Thanks for your reply. The upper control arm (A-frame) is unavailable anywhere except junkyards and they have the same design (one piece ball joint/Upper control arm). There was no aftermarket A-frame design that allowed you to install an aftermarket ball joint. Somehow the original A-frame gets modified to fit the aftermarket ball joint. The aftermarket joint is a press fit. The original is welded to the A-frame. If I cut the welds and remvoed the original b-joint, it wouldn't help because the replacement ( I verified the part number and saw a picture of it...the part is correct: Rare Part# RP10156...you can see a picture of it on their web-site), is a smaller diameter and would fall through the hole left by the original b-joint. Apparently this installation has been done for years, but I can't find anyone who can explain it to me. Can someone help..maybe you know an old mechanic who's done this? My car has been up on blocks for a month now and I really need it to get to work. Thanks.

Call Russ Martin at Centerville Auto Repair in Freemont, Ca. I don't know how close Freemont may be to you.

Tom Telesco