Help!!! A-body upper ball joints

[RonP]

Help folks I had never changed an upper balljoint on any of my dusters befaore but mine are shot right now. I thought it would be an easy job and everything came aprt ok, but

It looks like the threads in the control arm are gone. the ball joints seemed to screw out ok but I am woried about them going back. Is there some fix or am I scr##ed? we are having are first bracket race of the year next sat and sun. need to get it going.

thanks

[abodyjoe]

i think you are ok..  they aren't normal looking threads..  i'm sure someone else will chime in a d explain it better...  do you have any pictures??

[ski]

The new ball joints basically cut their own threads as you tighten them in. 

[mrspeeddemon]

mine looked like they were done for as well, but the ball joint has a self tapping thread on it, so I think you should be ok

[RonP]

Thanks guys. Mine are really bad. I can tighten them up until the are flush and they will continue to turn. I talked to bill and he said to tack them in place. That is what I am doing. I plan on a complete alterktion after summer so this should be fine.

thanks

[bbscamp]

I dont' know about tacking them in, maybe its too much heat?  anyway...I would coat the threads with loc-tite green bearing/sleeve retaining juice, then tighten them until flush.
You will never get them out again........unless you heat the A-arms 'til cherry red when taking them apart.  Its a good option, esp. if you don't have a welder...

[Jim_Lusk]

A couple of welds to keep them in place won't hurt anything, BUT grease them AFTER.

[Josh]

The dakotas with screw in ball joints usually give more trouble stripping out than these. same principle though. We just screw them in and take an air chisel with a blunt chisel or punch and peen the threads in atr about 4 places around the ball joint. Works great.

[Sixpak]

You can tack weld them in, but realize that this is a one time shot. Next time around the arm should be junked and a new one substituted.

[RonP]

Thanks guys. the job is done. yes it is a one time fix. The car will be getting the alterktion in the future.

take care

[Halfaed]

Congrats! Don't you feel good now!?

[RonP]

Yep, I have to put the brakes back on and get it aligned. then off to the races Sat and Sun. Oh yeah.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Bones]

RonP, I just wanted to tell you that your car is SICK.  That is one bad ass Duster my friend.