68 Charger Upper Ball Joint tool

Glen63 · Post by **Glen63** » Mon Dec 29, 14 11:28 am

OK, so I have the front suspension stripped down and the have the wishbones off, but I cannot get the top ball joint out.

I know, I know, I should have got them out before taking the wishbone off !! but I did not read up until I got stuck trying to get these ball joints out.

The local garage will be helpfull with regard to heating up the wishbones, but does anybody local to me in Suffolk/Norfolk borders have the correct socket ?

I have giant wrenches etc, but I cannot seem to get enough of a grip with the edges of the wishbone getting in the way.

In a idea world, if I could just come to somebody and we could remove and fit new ball joints and wishbone bushes, then I might feel like I am getting somewhere.

I really hate the fact I have taken the whole front of the car apart now and I have not even driven her yet

ANTON · Post by **ANTON** » Mon Dec 29, 14 4:25 pm

I have the right socket

latil · Post by **latil** » Mon Dec 29, 14 5:09 pm

Beware. Sometimes people weld the edge of the joint to the arm if the thread has got dodgy. Have a good look.

Glen63 · Post by **Glen63** » Mon Dec 29, 14 7:40 pm

Hi Anton

Yes thought you might have the right tool, unfortunately not sure when I will next be down your way.

I was hoping somebody nearer would have it as well.

No welds on either wishbone, have already had them shot blasted, so nice and clean, just need to change bushes and ball joint

Then paint them up to go back on car.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Dec 30, 14 9:53 am

I have got a large Ball Joint tool, but as ever I have lent it so someone and I don't know where it is and I won't be able to follow it up for a couple of days.

As said previously, it is much better to put the UCA's back on the car and do it in situ.

I will get back to you ASAP.

Pete

autofetish · Post by **autofetish** » Tue Dec 30, 14 4:48 pm

I also have can post if needed

Glen63 · Post by **Glen63** » Tue Dec 30, 14 6:46 pm

Thanks for the offers guys, I may well take you up on them

At the moment am being lazy and trying to get in contact with Anton, to dump all the bits on him and pay him to install ball joint and bushes in my wish bones.

Don't think his garage is open this week, as no answer, was going to drop off tomorrow.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Tue Dec 30, 14 6:53 pm

Glen63 wrote:Thanks for the offers guys, I may well take you up on them

At the moment am being lazy and trying to get in contact with Anton, to dump all the bits on him and pay him to install ball joint and bushes in my wish bones.

Don't think his garage is open this week, as no answer, was going to drop off tomorrow.

If you are doing that then I would DEFINITELY get the UCA and importantly the Lower Control Arm bushes changed at the same time - it will transform t he way it drives. Make sure you get plenty of Caster dialled in to the front end when you re-assemble the car.

Glen63 · Post by **Glen63** » Tue Dec 30, 14 7:58 pm

Was not planning on taking the lower control arms off, do you really think they will be that bad ?

I have not released the tension off the torsion bars, so cannot tell if there is any play at the moment.

What is a good test or should I just assume they will be knackered like the rest ?

autofetish · Post by **autofetish** » Tue Dec 30, 14 8:03 pm

As he said replace all

While you there silly not to.

Glen63 · Post by **Glen63** » Tue Dec 30, 14 8:53 pm

O, good, looks like I am still going backwards then

Was hoping to start putting things back together soon.

Looks like I better get back onto Rockautos for another order !!!

morgan · Post by **morgan** » Wed Dec 31, 14 11:35 am

Been through exactly the same - but the lower is nowhere near as bad as the upper. If you have done the upper and it actually came apart without an anglegrinder you are in a good place.
Yes, do the lower. You can get poly bushes with grease-nipples now. My mounts for the lower control were also really worn, so replaced those too.
Pressing the bushes is a pain but Anton will sort BUT while you are at it get the bottom swingarm welded. Anton will know.

Read this thread - its exactly the same, might help...
http://www.moparuk.com/forums/viewtopic ... highlight=

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Wed Dec 31, 14 11:47 am

The LCA and strut bushings are very important as even when they are in new condition you still get some forward/aft movement of the LCA. Which is a bad thing. When worn (which if years old they will be) they move around all over the place.

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Wed Dec 31, 14 11:59 am

You will not regret it later, lots of load with modern tyres are placed on these components.......

Glen63 · Post by **Glen63** » Fri Jan 02, 15 4:33 pm

Took all your advise and stripped both LCA off on New Years Eve in the morning and then dumped the whole lot on Anton in the afternoon. They were knackered, with lots of play, but I have been lucky with them and the wishbones, they have all come apart really easily.

He is going to weld, powder coat and fit new bushes etc to the LCA, also going to fit new bushes and swivels for me to the wishbones and strip, powder coat and rebuild brake back plates etc.

So I am being a real lazy sod, by letting him do all the work and I get a nice clean, painted suspension system back to refit

Only thing I need to sort now, is a replacement for the sway bar, as my one is bent. Anybody got a standard sway bar they want to sell ?

Discussed with Anton that while I have all the suspension stripped down, I may as well uprate the torsion bars to big block ones, to give me better handling, so need to buy a set of those, anybody ?