Did a search and didn't find an answer.

I'm installing the upper ball joints (disc) and am having trouble.

How hard are they to screw in? I could only thread it by hand maybe a half turn. I have slowly tightened them and then taken them out 4 times.,threads aren't getting crossed threaded like a normal nut or bolt would but there are very fine shavings when I pull it out. It's really tight, yet the threads look ok

I've used a brass brush as best I can to clean them up. I can get it about half way but it seems like a lot of torque.

(correct socket, 3/4 drive bar). I don't want to have to buy new UCAs, ball joints, bushings.

Ahh, don't take them back out! The original ball joints cut those threads. You're taking more and more metal out of the ball joint socket that needs to be there to hold the ball joint.

It takes a lot of torque to install the ball joints. In fact it's best done with the control arm bolted to the car for proper support without bending anything. You will need a long breaker bar and strong arms.

_________________
Joshua

Thanks Josh. I have the UCAs in and a 1.5 foot breaker bar. I guess I need a cheater too. I'm pretty strong,just don't want towaste these.

If you get the ball joints started straight you should be fine.

_________________
Joshua

10-4 Josh. You're pretty cool even if you're not a tree hugger. (Just kidding really. I firmly believe diversity is what makes America the best Country in the world)

Thanks for the kind words, but other than my addiction to mechanical things I do tend to lean green. That's just one of the reasons I live 1 mile from where I work. When I started at my current job about 4 1/2 years ago everyone there was throwing newspapers, cans, bottles, etc in the garbage. I brought in some paper bags for the old newspapers and set out a box for bottles and cans. About once a week I take that material and throw it in with my home recycling. My wife keeps chickens and runs thecitychicken.com. She also does some gardening and this year I have my own 4x6 square foot garden.

I digress... Now back out to the garage to fit a Toyota Supra turbo 5-speed to my 273. I made the pilot bearing adapter last night when I was at a friend's Summer Solstice party. Maybe I'll post that in Social Corner later.

_________________
Joshua

I was kidding Josh.

Well chaulk one up to the old, "I'm one dumb SOB" department. When I put the UCA in I had to pry it in a bit.This probably made the hole a bit out of round. I swapped out the new bushing to a UCA I had off of a 73 Duster and PRESTO the ball joint went in with just the right amount of torque (heard it cutting threads too.

I guess whoever on the board sold me A body UCAs didn't, or did they and certain years are just a touch wider at the frame attachment points?

Anyway now I'm in a bad way as the passenger side UCA from the Duster had the balljoint tacked in.

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

?No pearls of wisdom from the Sages?

Where did you get the socket for the ball joint, thinking about grinding a crescent wrench to fit the ball joint. no money to rent anything. and did you know that used motor oil makes great fertilizer.Just kidding.

_________________