Lower ball joint issues

[451Coronet]

So just rebuilt the front end of my 'Net and was going back thru and checking and tightening everything when I noticed the arm on the lower ball joint that connects to the tie rod is hitting the backing plate and is not fully seated. They came in a new poly rebuild kit from Just Suspension. Would it be okay to grind some off the backing plate a bit, I dont really wanna be grinding on my LBJs??? There's maybe about 3/16" space by the bolt where the backing plate bolts to the LBJ.

 

[YY1]

Show us a pic. I just put that kit on my car last year.

I did use M body spindles, but no issues like that.

 

[451Coronet]

Wish I woulda snapped one beforehand, but ill post one of the after. I went ahead and ground down the lower ball joints a bit where they were hitting the backing plate. After considering my options and looking at the parts, I decided I didn't wanna cut into the backing plate and went ahead and cut down the LBJs as they were quite a bit beefier than what I am assuming is the original factory parts, anyway this is the driver's side after a spent some time grinding the lower ball joint, there was a bit more clearance there, but when I tightened everything up, it closed the gap.

 

[451Coronet]

This will be the 2nd time I've had an issue with the parts Just Suspension sent. The first issue was with the strut rod bushings, they sent the wrong bushings.....and they def get in no hurry with the shipping.

 

[67 coronet]

pic looks fine to me.if that is drum brake(hard to tell in pick)it is a good thing you didnt trim backing plate.they tend to crack when modified.if it was disc,i would have said just remove it.

 

[ossietim]

I wouldn't be grinding steering components

 

[451Coronet]

pic looks fine to me.if that is drum brake(hard to tell in pick)it is a good thing you didnt trim backing plate.they tend to crack when modified.if it was disc,i would have said just remove it.

Ya it's drum, and had no idea that they could crack if modified, glad I chose to grind the LBJs.

 

[451Coronet]

I wouldn't be grinding steering components

I didn't wanna be grinding on this stuff either, but it was either that or wait a month to get replacements......ok so that may be a bit of an exaggeration haha but I wanted to get it together sooner rather than later.
And even with what I grinded away,they're still 'meatier' than the stock pieces I pulled off, both in width and thickness.
Eventually, I'll swap to disc up front anyways this will all be changed anyhow.

If something breaks though, I'll def let you guys know and then we will have learned a valuable lesson lol