Dreading these ball joints ***Update, Help!***

[NCtrueconservative]

Well I found a sleeve online. It isn't the money that gets me down, its the time the thing has to just set there on jackstands.

[NCtrueconservative]

I'm just having a terrible time down here. Got the nuts off my cam bolts for the uca but for the life of me cannot get the bolts out. It shouldn't be this hard!!

[brads70]

I'm just having a terrible time down here. Got the nuts off my cam bolts for the uca but for the life of me cannot get the bolts out. It shouldn't be this hard!!

Do they appear to be rusty? With the bolts off the cam adjusters does the control arm more freely in and out? Maybe try some penetrating oil to get things moving?
Got any pictures?

[Chryco Psycho]

The upper bushings & cam bolts can be the worst part of the job , if the cam bolt is seized in the bushing it is hell to get the bolts out , it took me about 4 hrs to get a cam bolt out once , I used a die grinder & cut into the bushing so I would not damage the arm .
 Make sure you coat everything with anti seize when you re-assemble .

[NCtrueconservative]

Chryco thats exactly whats happened. When I turn the cam bolts the bushing moves with them. Ive even hit the back of the bolts and they won't budge. And Brad, yeah it moves up and down goodd, not sure about in and out. They are soaked in wd-40. A little surface rust but good structurally

[jimynick]

If you have access to compressed air, I took an old chisel for my air panel cutter and cut the end off so that it's a flat cylinder at the end. You can put it against the bolt with the nut on it to prevent peening the bolt over and give 'er a go; sometimes you get lucky. Otherwise, if all else fails, use a cutting torch to blow off the bolt head and end, a good bar and a BFH. The mistake most people make using the torch is not using the max heat it's capable of producing and you end up overheating the bracket the arm mounts into. WATCH what the torch flame is doing, wearing goggles obviously and you'd be surprised how surgical you can be. That's the worse case scenario and I hope you don't have to go there. 

[Road_Runner]

I have the worst luck!! And the other side will prob be the same way. 

What others have hinted at but not spelled out specifically is that no you're really not having the worst luck, you're working on an old car and things like this are just going to happen.  Seriously, I almost count on something not going according to plan so when it often does I'm not thrown by it.  Trust me, we've all been where you are now and although it frustrating as all hell, you'll get through it and learn some good skills along the way.  I learned a long time ago to put down the tools and walk away when things go the way they're going for you right now.  It doesn't always lead to an easy solution but it keeps me from throwing tools across the garage!  If anyone could own & maintain these old car, most people would.  That's what makes us "special" I guess, at least that's what my wife calls me ... although sometimes I think she doesn't mean it in a good way!

Good luck & hang in there.

Later, Jim

[GranCuda1970]

  you'll get her!! Don,t give up you can buy replacement cam bolts if you have to cut em out.

[Chryco Psycho]

 
 this is quite typical on an older car , I have run into this a few times & had to fight through it .
 Get new cam bolts anyway & coat them with anti seize when you install them

[brads70]

Any luck today?
 

[NCtrueconservative]

well I didn't get to work on it much today...did drink some sweet tea and look at it though  That counts for something right?  I am almost through one cam bolt though with my reciprocating saw.  Those things are tough.  Got some new metal blades at lowes tonight, so I can give it heck tomorrow.  Found some speed shops in NC that had that sleeve...one in statesville might have them. Thats about an hr and fifteen minutes from my house. If they got one, I'll drive down and get it.  Not as frustrated today....I was just more frustrated with myself than anything.  You know, letting those ball joints get the best of me hahaha  anyway, I'll get it figured sooner or later.  Think the other side will go smoother now that I know what I'm doing a little better. After I get that UCA off, I'm gonna get the moog cam bolt and bushing kit and have my mechanic press those in and weld in that sleeve if the threads in the UCA are toast.  Maybe by late next week, she'll be back on her feet 

[GranCuda1970]

 

[brads70]

 

[jimynick]

Here's something I found on Moparts that may interest you. There's a link to photos of them and they look brand new and you can'y beat the price!
 littleredcoffin
super gas


Reged: Sep 29 2003
Loc: NH USA   
 BRAND NEW UPPER CONTROL ARM SET [Re: moparts]
      #7235581 - Mon Jun 04 2012 10:19 AM Attachment (29 downloads)   

NEW IN BOX...COMES WITH NEW UPPER BALL JOINT,BOTH BUSHINGS...ALL INSTALLED READY TO BOLT IN,,SHOW QUALITY $110PR.ONLY HAVE 1 SET OF THESE.CALL 603 357 1974

[NCtrueconservative]

okay, another question.  When I put in my new camber bolts when putting the UCA back on, how do I get them adjusted right where the alignment will be pretty close...I mean close enough where I could drive the car 5 mins down the road to the alignment shop?