New Upper Control Arms ???

[pipeliner]

Im redoing my suspension and took the Upper ball joints out and in the process took most of the threads from the UCA,s with it.I went to a friends junkyard and took 3 more uca,s off and same problem,most of the threads from the uca,s came with it.I have found the new aftermarket sets from ebay and I like original appearance but My question is are they as good as the OEM,s.How good are the ball joints and bushings.I already have my Moog upper BJ,s and also have a set of Moog offsets that I bought for the tall spindles buT have since found a set of spindles off of a Aspen so I dont need those no more.I was just trying to figure out which way to go.I dont care to tack weld the BJ,s on my UCA,s.If I take back my Moog BJ,s and offsets bushings they will pay for the UCA,s.I want a factory looking UCA and nothing else,what to do,what to do     http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-1972-ROAD-RUNNER-DODGE-B-BODY-UPPER-CONTROL-ARMS-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3a63241571QQitemZ250771412337QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessorieshruggy:

[bull]

I wouldn't have a problem using them but there are many skeptics here. The crux of the issue seems to be the quality of the steel.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,68494.0.html

[pipeliner]

I guess time would only tell.You dont know the qulity off the BJ,s or bushings?Why would you need offset bushings if you have a complete new frontend?

[red79]

moog offset bushings, when installed in a specific way, add a few extra degrees of caster to your stock UCAs. It's a lot cheaper than aftermarket geometry corrected tubular arms, and provides a good part of the benefit.

[Mike DC]

       
I'm surprised you can't find a decent set of used ones w/o the threads being ruined in the process of replacing balljoints.


 

[pipeliner]

The Aspen spindles are also taller .I dont care to use to em but would rather have th 73-76 a e body spidles.I did happen to find a set of 71 charger spindles I guess I could use those.

[bull]

Not trying to be Captain Obvious here but you are unscrewing the ball joints to get them out aren't you? You're not pressing them out or something.

[pipeliner]

Thats why Im looking for one,I knocked it out witha 2 pound hammer lol but the other 3 I screwed out with a ball joint socket and the one on my car doesnt look too hot either.I have access to another set I hope are good.Somebody also told me that most UCA,s are only good for 1 ball joint replacement because of the threads.

[smyythe68]

I'm having the same problem on my 68 charger today. I had to weld a 1 7/8" nut on top of the ball joint with plenty of penatrating oil, then use a 3 foot breaker bar to finally break it loose. After sand blasting, I test fit it and it starts to get tight then just spins free. I might go the weld in technique then buy the tubular ones when I get the money together. If any one has a set of originals let me know.

[bull]

Thats why Im looking for one,I knocked it out witha 2 pound hammer lol but the other 3 I screwed out with a ball joint socket and the one on my car doesnt look too hot either.I have access to another set I hope are good.Somebody also told me that most UCA,s are only good for 1 ball joint replacement because of the threads.

Not true. I was able to reuse one of my UCAs and the other one I used had been sitting in a barrel for several years. The only reason I couldn't reuse both of mine was because I also assumed they were a press fit and ram-rodded that sucker out, threads and all. But now, all is well.

[bull]

Oh, by the way, those upper ball joints can be a bitch to get started in the threads, even when they are good. It took me a good 10-15 minutes to get the ball joint started in that used UCA. Yea, I was starting to get nervous but then it finally went and torqued down to 130 ft lbs no problem.

[lexxman]

I started to clean my controls arms up today,but were the bushings go is cracked and very thin.I there a sleeve for the bushing or I'm I just looking at the remains of the bushing?