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

[brads70]

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?

Just use a level to get the camber close, and use a tape measure to get the toe in to within 1/8" would be good!

[NCtrueconservative]

A level across the UCA?

[brads70]

A level across the UCA?

No on the rim top to bottom

[Bullitt-]

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?

I set mine, & read where others did the same, by rotating the rear all the way in & the front all the way out. This gives maximum pos. caster, my camber just happened to come in about perfect. Also when you get an alignment find the specs posted here for use with radial tires, to factory specs are for bias tire & don't work very well. http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=57753.msg595650#msg595650
I encourage you to go ahead & replace the lower control arm bushings and strud rod bushings...On my 50K car the lower bushings were all that shown any real wear. 

[NCtrueconservative]

No on the rim top to bottom

Okay gocha  And Bullitt will do, appreciate those specs.  Had the other side old ball joints out and new ones in in about half a day! Amazing how one side goes soooo smooth, and the other is a real headache.  But hey, I've really learned alot through this whole process and thats what its all about right? 

[Chryco Psycho]

We all learned doing it , I for sure was not born with this knowledge 

[Bullitt-]

  But hey, I've really learned alot through this whole process and thats what its all about right? 

   

I say if you don't enjoy the process, even if it's frustrating, your in the wrong hobby. 

[brads70]

I find with most people it's confidence they are lacking not so much the mechanical ability. You just have to say to your self " it's broke now and I can't break it anymore " then have at it!  Worse case scenario is it might require a few extra parts, big deal! It's still cheaper than having to pay someone else to do it.  I usually find too that if you need a special tool to do the job ( eg, ball joint socket) it's usually cheaper or works out about the same to buy the tool and do it yourself. Then the next time you need to do that job the tool is already paid for.

[Chryco Psycho]

I have a slightly different viewpoint , I figure someone else built it , I should be able to take it apart & fix it if someone else can . Buying the tools just makes sense , , I always end up using the tool agin helping someone or doing a different car that I own down the road .

[NCtrueconservative]

All great advice guys! And God blessed me with the socket. The head of the local Mopar club who is a mechanic had one and let me borrow it