What sort of ill effects if any should one expect when installing the newer offset ('84) balljoints on a '78? They fit right in place, but would the alignment specs. be changed?

Brian,

I put the newer ones on my '80 244 when I switched to power steering. Eventually I changed back to the manual steerng and left the newer balljoints. It is fine with them. Had the alignment done at that time.

If it's a p/s car, you won't notice anything; if manual steering, I can't say, but it could be harder to turn at lower speed.

Unless, of course, you put them in backwards(L/R reversed), in which case you might expect easier turning.

The alignment spec changed is caster, which is otherwise unadjustable.

I put newer balljoints in my '78(with p/s) and noticed no difference at all.

Thanks much Jim. b.g.