Upper control arm ball joint opening stripped

[SGTPaul]

Installing the upper ball joints into my control arms and both sides appear to be stripped on the control arm. :icon_frown: The ball joint just spins when it gets all the way in. I’ve seen on some threads that you can weld the ball joint in. With the ball joint spinning, is it still ok to weld in? Where do you weld at? How much do you need to weld? I would prefer to weld at the underside of the arm to the ball joint since I’m trying to keep it as factory looking as I can and the boot would hide the welds. Please let me know.

 

[dryheat]

I would recommend you pickup some new control arms instead ... they are not that expensive. It is possible to weld but I personally do not like that solution.

 

[AMX364]

X2 on replacement. Do you really want to heat up that ball joint by welding?

 

[okiemopar]

I have seen them welded but I just got another a-arm for mine. Good Luck Ronnie

 

[Cranky]

I've seen them welded too. 1/2" of weld at the 4 corners is all you really need but I like to just replace them instead of doing that. There's always someone here that has an extra set including me. These things are not that hard to cross thread so you need to be careful when going together as the threads look like they are already rounded off before ever putting joints into them.

 

[Dako]

At the risk of being lambasted I will say, you can weld them. Only I would weld on the corners so a socket would still grab if they were ever removed again. I would also suggest smaller welds are both sufficient and better for the ball joint (less heat)...they don't need to be much. Give them time to cool between welds. Two good spot welds will hold it in place. The upper ball joint doesn't support any weight, it just keeps the wheel upright. Mechanics did it back in the day whenever one stripped out. A proper weld will hold fine and won't be seen with the wheels on. Welding them on top allows access to grind the weld should they ever need to be changed again...50K miles with offset wheels...100K with factory wheels. Will you reach either while you own it? I know I wouldn't.

 

[SGTPaul]

Thanks everyone. I spoke to a local guy who is a wealth of knowledge while getting feedback here, and before I could even ask about welding them he said to just weld them in – a couple of tacks is all that is necessary in the corners. So I went ahead and put a bout a ¼” long weld at each corner in small amounts, kept them cool, and pumped grease thru them after each welding time. All painted up and on the car.

 

[747mopar]

If you want another set let me know, I have the originals out of my Charger that are in great shape.