UCA removal

[jball1105]

Hey guys I need some help. I am trying to remove the passenger side upper control arm on my 63 sport fury. I got the bolt out no problem on one side but can’t get the other to budge. It moves in and out in the adjusting slot when I turn the bolt but I can’t get it to slide out. I took the nut off and the eccentric washer off on the other side and that one slid right out. I’ve tried tapping this one gently with a hammer and tons of penetrating oil but it won’t budge. I don’t see any other retaining clip or anything that could be keeping it in there. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[retractable]

I just had the same problem on a car I was just working on. 3 bolts came out easy but not the forth. I tried penetrating oil for a couple of days and tapping with a hammer. I ended up cutting it out with a cut off wheel on the offset die grinder. As long as the cut off wheel was about new I had room to cut the bolt. I need a new cut off wheel for each side of the bolt. Good Luck with your project.

 

[miller]

Should I assume you haven't broke loose the upper ball joint, yet? Service manual will tell what/how it needs to be done.
The torsion bar on that side needs to be 'un-loaded', adjuster backed off. Under alot of torque, until you do.
When you pull the UCA, even without that torque, the LCA will drop. Need to plan on a way to raise the LCA, going back together, usually using a jack, on the frame.

Just be careful!

 

[jball1105]

Should I assume you haven't broke loose the upper ball joint, yet? Service manual will tell what/how it needs to be done.
The torsion bar on that side needs to be 'un-loaded', adjuster backed off. Under alot of torque, until you do.
When you pull the UCA, even without that torque, the LCA will drop. Need to plan on a way to raise the LCA, going back together, usually using a jack, on the frame.

Just be careful!

I probably should've looked at the FSM. I did watch a video on YouTube and then just started taking things apart. I un-loaded the torsion bar completely and have upper ball joint broken.

 

[miller]

Good deal!
If not done right, taking those things apart, can get a little dangerous.

Years ago, on the hunt for another car, ran into a guy with a Sport Fury. Wasn't for sale, but of course, I had to stop for a look. Front end wore out, and the guy had been working on it. First thing was busting that UCA ball joint apart...without touching anything else! Told me when it came apart, thing almost took his hand off!

Asked me if I knew anything about them. Told him he needed to get a service manual, before touching anything else, and walked away.

 

[miller]

One other little note on that stuff...
Going back together, put the parts and pieces on, but do not tighten any bolts/nuts. Not until the weight of the car is on the ground. That allows, on the bushings, to slip into place, no binding. It is okay to tighten the nuts on the ball joints, but just as easy, after it's together.