upper ball joints tool

[cavemanno1]

Hi guys!

I have been reading up about the upper ball joint removal and read that a special tool is required!
http://www.moparmax.com/tech/2011/vi_11-torsiontips-2.html

Is it worth buying it if i only tend to use it once?
It's not that 50 bucks but the shipping to Hungary and custom charges makes it a lot more!
Is there anyone who has one and has no use for it?

Thank you!

Peter

[birdsandbees]

I would have never got my drivers side out without one. Passenger side came easy, drivers a 6 foot pipe to "crack" it loose.

Know anyone running a garage that's been around for a few decades, they may have what you need.

[b5blue]

New reproduction has new ball joints and bushings on them: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/351063607641?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82

[cavemanno1]

Thanks guys!
I have got a PST super front end kit.Do you think it's worth $115 extra for a pair of new upper controll arms?The tool is 50 bucks and smaller to ship to Europe.
I think i just get the tool!

Thanks,

Peter

[Lennard]

The socket is $25 on amazon.com

[cavemanno1]

Ah really?Just bought one from PST last night for $50

[Lennard]

Ah really?Just bought one from PST last night for $50

I bought mine on amazon.com for $25 and free shipping. That was expensive enough for a tool that I'm probably using twice in my life.

[b5blue]

Have you the tool to replace UCA bushings? See by the time you buy bushings/ball joints/tools it costs as much to just replace the entire UCA. 

[cavemanno1]

No i don't!I didn't know i need one as well.Well,maybe i will be able to use it for my next charger if i ever get one 
So where do i get that special tool from?

[John_Kunkel]

Lots of rental yards and auto supplies have them to rent.

Seldom-used tools are like women, don't buy when you can rent. 

[Lennard]

Lots of rental yards and auto supplies have them to rent.

Seldom-used tools are like women, don't buy when you can rent.  

I've asked at Autozone and OReilly's in my town and they didn't have one. Mopars are the red headed stepchild in car land. I asked at OReilly's for brake pads and hoses and their computer said that a 1969 Charger never came from the factory with disc brakes. I thanked the clerk for his time and effort and went home and ordered the parts on ebay.

[b5blue]

No i don't!I didn't know i need one as well.Well,maybe i will be able to use it for my next charger if i ever get one 
So where do i get that special tool from?

Let me check my tools, I may be done using for a while. You can use if you pay ship to you and back? (Not very big or heavy.) 

[cavemanno1]

Cheers Neal!

[birdsandbees]

Figured no point in starting a new thread... I thought and have read that only Hemi cars got the reinforcing sleeve on the rear bushing, but looking at my 383 'Bee UCA's today I realized that mine have this sleeve in place. Is this something normal or do I have an oddball. I don't see any of the rebuilders offering theirs with this sleeve in place??

[Dino]

I have that collar on mine as well and my suspension came off a police car.

[1974dodgecharger]

Have you the tool to replace UCA bushings? See by the time you buy bushings/ball joints/tools it costs as much to just replace the entire UCA. 

YUP!!!!!

[cavemanno1]

Wish i knew that before!Oh well,live and learn!But hopefully Neal can find his and send it to me!

[birdsandbees]

New reproduction has new ball joints and bushings on them: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/351063607641?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82

Realizing one of my arms was pooched, I ordered a set. He even took my $85 offer for a pair. I'll wait to see what bushings and ball joint are in it, but will probably swap in the PST's I already bought and add my "hemi" sleeves to the rear bushings.

[Lennard]

What is the function of that sleeve?

[birdsandbees]

Too stiffen up the bushing I presume. I have read it was put on Hemi cars only, but they are on my '69 x 383 Super Bee. In the end it probably doesn't do much... 

[Lennard]

Thanks for the explanation.

[b5blue]

Too stiffen up the bushing I presume. I have read it was put on Hemi cars only, but they are on my '69 x 383 Super Bee. In the end it probably doesn't do much... 

Taxi cab B body also

[Lennard]

I have that collar on mine as well and my suspension came off a police car.

I just went through my front suspension parts and I have those same sleeves.

[Dino]

Mine look pretty beat up so I should get a new set.  I think they're available...

[Lennard]

I wonder why some cars do have them and some don't. Mine is not a Hemi car nor was it a taxi.

[birdsandbees]

I figure my "coronet" got them since the 4 door version saw taxi duty. Possibly it went down the same assembly line? Either that or that full K frame and front end that I got out of a '68 Charger in the junk yard, back in 1979, was a Hemi car! 

Anyhow, knowing that my UCA's aren't going to come apart and I have since ordered reproductions, I just ordered the reinforcing sleeves from Mancini along with some other stuff I was getting from them.

[b5blue]

Severe Duty Package I think it's called?    I talked to Mancini when ordering parts, they considered it more of a correct restoration part than a needed upgrade for durability so I skipped the hassle myself.

[Lennard]

Severe Duty Package I think it's called?    I talked to Mancini when ordering parts, they considered it more of a correct restoration part than a needed upgrade for durability so I skipped the hassle myself.

I'll probably leave them off also if there is no gain.

[71 SE3834V]

Lots of rental yards and auto supplies have them to rent.

Seldom-used tools are like women, don't buy when you can rent.  

I've asked at Autozone and OReilly's in my town and they didn't have one. Mopars are the red headed stepchild in car land. I asked at OReilly's for brake pads and hoses and their computer said that a 1969 Charger never came from the factory with disc brakes. I thanked the clerk for his time and effort and went home and ordered the parts on ebay.

Advance Auto here in SE Mi had one in their rental/loaner kit. I bought one anyway from a mom & pop supply for $28+ gov fees.

[birdsandbees]

New reproduction has new ball joints and bushings on them: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/351063607641?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82

Realizing one of my arms was pooched, I ordered a set. He even took my $85 offer for a pair. I'll wait to see what bushings and ball joint are in it, but will probably swap in the PST's I already bought and add my "hemi" sleeves to the rear bushings.

Well they shipped FAST.. I already have them and while they look good, both control arms have a bushing that you can EASILY remove with your bare hands.  It will make it easy to swap in my PST bushings, but I may have to use a punch and reduce the arms hole diameter a smiggin!

[b5blue]

New reproduction has new ball joints and bushings on them: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/351063607641?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82

Realizing one of my arms was pooched, I ordered a set. He even took my $85 offer for a pair. I'll wait to see what bushings and ball joint are in it, but will probably swap in the PST's I already bought and add my "hemi" sleeves to the rear bushings.

Well they shipped FAST.. I already have them and while they look good, both control arms have a bushing that you can EASILY remove with your bare hands.  It will make it easy to swap in my PST bushings, but I may have to use a punch and reduce the arms hole diameter a smiggin!

Aw crap! Mine were nice and tight. The reason I know for certain is I removed them to install offset bushings.

[ht4spd307]

New reproduction has new ball joints and bushings on them: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/351063607641?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82

Realizing one of my arms was pooched, I ordered a set. He even took my $85 offer for a pair. I'll wait to see what bushings and ball joint are in it, but will probably swap in the PST's I already bought and add my "hemi" sleeves to the rear bushings.

Well they shipped FAST.. I already have them and while they look good, both control arms have a bushing that you can EASILY remove with your bare hands.  It will make it easy to swap in my PST bushings, but I may have to use a punch and reduce the arms hole diameter a smiggin!

really the bushes come out with your hands dosent sound right those control arm bushes should be pressed in hard.

[birdsandbees]

YEP.. pulled one bushing on each arm out with my bare hands. Will investigate when I start putting the front end together.

[b5blue]

Rick E. advises to tack weld in a few spots also I read somewhere. I think with the info from offset bushings from him?  (I didn't but mine were tight.)

[birdsandbees]

Possibly.. won't do anything too drastic until I'm putting the cam bolts in the adjuster brackets. Will be a few months before my car is back... metal is now a week late coming in, then at least 3 weeks re and re all that and then the body work can start. 

[b5blue]

 

[cudavic]

New reproduction has new ball joints and bushings on them: http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/351063607641?ul_noapp=true&chn=ps&lpid=82

I realize that this thread is several years old now, however these upper control arms are still available on ebay and I am considering purchasing a set. Can those who have purchased them chime in on whether they are a good deal or not?

[b5blue]

They are good.