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72 RR UCA ball joint removal

ITS A 72 RR

ITS A 72 RR

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having trouble getting this out of the control arm. The new one I ordered looks like it is screwed in. I went up to auto zone and borrowed the kit. They have the right socket in there. But cant get it to move. Also having trouble getting the spindle off. I tried heat and soaked everything in PB blaster for a couple of days. I would really like to keep my original UCA's but at this rate I might need to order some new ones.
 
Mine came out with a long breaker bar, socket size was odd 1 59/64” maybe? No heat spun right out
 
keep the UCA on the car.

Use an air impact, then a big bar. Alternating between the two sometimes helps.

Clean thoroughly and inspect for tack welds, as some folks do this if they mess them up.
 
I tried a long breaker bar and an impact on it. Actually was getting scared that I might pull it off the 4 jack stands. Also read in some old post that there might be some that are tac welded. So I cleaned them up and no signs of welding. This car has been sitting in my Dads garage since 1994. All original so I really wanted to keep it that way. Oh well not going to let the UCA keep me from getting it back on the road. YY1 any chance you're in SWFL ?
 
My first one I used a long breakover bar and also thought I was going to pull it off the jackstands before it let go. The other one I cranked my air compressor way up and used an impact gun and it spun right off. Best bet may be to find a bigger impact gun.
 
Those ball joint sockets are 3/4" drive for a reason.

I've only had one ever fight me like that. Ended up using heat and impact before it finally backed out.
 
We used a 3 foot pipe over the 3/4 drive breaker bar for leverage. Why are you replacing it ? Are you sure it's worn ? On these cars, the upper ball joint is the follower. What that means is the spring load (torsion bar) is on the LOWER ball joint and bushing; that's the ones that wear. I would not replace it unless absolutely necessary,and honestly, these days I would get tubular arms if it's not a stock restoration.
 
agree about less wear on U vs L

can you see or feel it move?
 
Converting from drum to disc brakes. need to use new spindle and did a little damage to the ball joint boot due to heating the spindle trying to while remove it.
 
Where are you located? There's alot of us in FL. Plus my club mopars of brevard is part of the fma (FL mopar association) I'm sure there's someone close by !
 
I might be going to look at a car over there soon . I'll ask around the clubs to see if anyone is there
 
Careful with the threaded ball joints, the threads are very thin, and too much torque while removing actually can damage or wear the threads enough that new ball joint will not thread securely in after removing. I would suggest using just a bit of heat on the control arm to help it expand and allow the ball joint to come out easier and less risk of damaging the threads. Once you get the old ones out, clean and de rust if needed the threads, but be careful not to diminish them. Once you are ready to install the new ones, grease the crap out of the ball joint and the control arm threads, and make sure its lined up, then screw in and torque to specification.
 
ITS A 72 RR said:
Cape Coral
Click to expand...
I used to live in Cape Coral, grad from Cape Coral High, Left my 68 charger in storage there for 6 years before selling it. regret that, haven't been able to get another since. Wonder if its still in Cape Coral.
 
I wouldn't grease the threads as it will affect the install torque reading.

Perhaps just a touch of penetrating oil and then wipe off.

I've seen more than a couple folks ruin the control arm by applying too much torque on the install.

In my experience, once you get the BJ out, the threads are usually pretty darn clean.

It's an odd design for sure- the threads are really shallow and rounded.
 
I gave up and ordered new UCA's But thanks for all the suggestions. I'll keep the old ones around and maybe one day get them back on the car but for now I just want to get this RR back on the road after sitting for 24 yrs.
 
71RRHI said:
I used to live in Cape Coral, grad from Cape Coral High, Left my 68 charger in storage there for 6 years before selling it. regret that, haven't been able to get another since. Wonder if its still in Cape Coral.
Click to expand...
I go to most of the local car shows and have not seen it. as a matter of fact very few Mopars in this area. That's why I want to get mine back on the road.
 
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