What's everyone doing for ball studs?

[XLR8]

JConcepts, Custom Works, AE - everywhere I look, they are either discontinued or out of stock. I'm looking for the original size (I think it's .17" diameter ball) with #4-40 threads and at a sensible price. I'd have better luck finding M3 but I want 4-40 since they are going into vintage parts - which are also discontinued and becoming more scarce by the day.

If they are no longer available then I guess I could source some 3/16" hex bar, grind a form tool for lathe and attempt to make them myself. I already have 4-40 dies.

Any advice?

thanks

[juicedcoupe]

Lunsford is still showing them, 4.3mm x 4-40.

Last ones I bought were HPI but were m3.

Occasionally, I see bags of used ones on Ebay.



Also, check CRC. They show 4-40 versions but don't list the ball size.

The Dubro 4-40 is huge.

[radioactivity]

Doug

Schumacher pro ball studs, best I remember, will work. They are the broached style though.
Custom Works Hex Drive Ball Studs look like a possible candidate though Amain is out.

Chuck

[XLR8]

Thanks for the advice. Here's an update:

Custom Works:
Actually, CW does have ball studs in stock but they are the "short" version (8121). The price is $8.00 for 6 studs. These will work for steering but the camber links will require the longer version (8122) which are out of stock. From the photos, these appear to be broached and they also have a hex body.

Lunsford:
These are the correct size all around, they are broached only (not a problem) and they cost $68.99 for a set of 16. This is really not in the budget at this time.

Schumacher:
These have a 4.3mm ball and are longer than the CW's but they have M3 threads (U4274). They cost $4.89 for 4 studs. I'd rather not use M3 with vintage nylon parts since the larger threads could permanently oversize the hole making them unusable with #4-40 hardware in a future build. Since RC10 nylon parts are discontinued and it appears they will never be made again, I really want to preserve these parts - especially those that are currently original and unmodified.

CRC:
These are #4-40 and I believe the ball size is 4.3mm and they are anodized so I reckon they are aluminum - I've requested confirmation. The cost is $5.99 for 4 studs. I won't use aluminum ball studs with an off-road car but these could be used as place-holders or for a shelf car (after removing the red anno).

I am pulling together an order for various bar stock materials from McMaster and I will add a length of 3/16 steel hex rod to try-out on the lathe. The price is $5.49 for 3 ft. I hope this works but I'll post an update. Do we know if the original AE ball studs were heat treated or if this is even necessary since they are going into nylon? Maybe they were heat treated to reduce wear??

thanks for commenting.

[jwscab]

They are probably gone by now but I bought a bunch of the titanium nitride associated balls that are broached for a hex on top. I guess they were for the touring cars? But they will have to do for new builds.

Another option is from dubro for steel balls. Last time I checked.

I'm not sure if the stock ones are hardened. I don't think so.

[XLR8]

Thank you Joe. I didn't think to look at touring cars.

So I just checked AE and apparently the TC4 was the last touring car to use imperial units hardware - the TC5 and later cars use metric. It looks like the TC4 ball studs fit the 6274 ball cup (4.3mm ball), are #4-40, are broached and unfortunately have been discontinued. Here are those part numbers: 3981,3983, 6277. There is a pack of 4 p/n 3981 on the bay from the UK with shipping set at $32.86. There a few of the other p/n's also listed but the cost is prohibitive.

Meanwhile, I just received this email from CRC regarding their 1409 ball studs.

Hi Doug,


The ball diameter is 4.32-4.34mm.


These have 4/40 threads, and the threads are about 7.1mm.


Yes, these are made of aluminum.


Thank you,



Brian Wynn



Team CRC

If these were steel, they would be perfect.

[jwscab]

Hpi ball studs are same diameter also. Not easy to find like everything else.

[KidAgain]

So you're looking for steel ball studs, give me a count of what you need for the build if you are okay with used but not destroyed ball studs I have a bunch of take offs from when I went aluminum........... they will just need a cleaning.

Also are they black or shiny with hex no hex?

Jake

[XLR8]

So you're looking for steel ball studs, give me a count of what you need for the build if you are okay with used but not destroyed ball studs I have a bunch of take offs from when I went aluminum........... they will just need a cleaning.

Also are they black or shiny with hex no hex?

Jake

Thanks Jake.
For the current build, at the very least I'll need 6 shorts and 6 longs.
I've just received an email from CW and they expect to have their long ball studs available again next week so I'll go ahead and order a couple packs of each and this will provide a few extras for future builds.
However, if the plan falls through, I will reach out to you regarding your take-offs. Thanks again!

[KidAgain]

So you're looking for steel ball studs, give me a count of what you need for the build if you are okay with used but not destroyed ball studs I have a bunch of take offs from when I went aluminum........... they will just need a cleaning.

Also are they black or shiny with hex no hex?

Jake

Thanks Jake.
For the current build, at the very least I'll need 6 shorts and 6 longs.
I've just received an email from CW and they expect to have their long ball studs available again next week so I'll go ahead and order a couple packs of each and this will provide a few extras for future builds.
However, if the plan falls through, I will reach out to you regarding your take-offs. Thanks again!

Ill pull out my best short and long sets and post a photo in the next couple of days bud.

[XLR8]

It's taken some time but those standard length ball studs (p/n 8122) are back in stock at Custom Works.

https://www.customworksrc.com/product/hex-drive-ball-studs/