Hi Ron,
Thanks for the info. Over lunch I went back to the shop, pressed the ball
joint off the ring, and cleaned things up. It looks like the pieces were
originally friction-welded together, and only about 3/4 of the circumference
had ever been attached fully. I tacked things back together (about seven 3/4
inch welds) and I was able to install the new balljoint with no problems
(just lots of grunt on the press). I used red loctite between the ball joint
and the ring - hopefully that (and the snap ring) will keep things in place.
I had already installed new delrin bushings but maybe I'll press things
apart again to re-weld the pivot bushings - looks like I'll be repainting
the entire control arm, again...
Thanks again,
Theo
-----Original Message-----
From: Fraser, Ron [mailto:Ron.Fraser@usa.xerox.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2000 11:53 AM
To: 'Theo Smit'
Subject: RE: Dumb things that happen when you're in a hurry.
Theo
The splined ring was originally lightly tack welded to the A arm.
I recommend you press the ring back on the A arm then weld the circumference
to the A arm with the old ball join installed so the ring does not warp. I
also recommend that you put added weld on the pivot bushing cups but this
should only be done when you are replacing the bushings. This is part of
the procedure to strengthen the crossmember that STOA and CAT have
published.
Hope this helps.
Ron Fraser
-----Original Message-----
From: Theo Smit [mailto:theo.smit@intel.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 05, 2000 1:34 PM
To: 'tigers@autox.team.net'
Subject: Dumb things that happen when you're in a hurry.
Hi all,
How exactly is the splined ring, that retains the upper ball joint, attached
to the upper control arm? I am in the process of building a set of front
suspension pieces, and after having pressed the balljoint in at an angle
(that would be a result of the 'hurry' part) and then trying to straighten
things out, the splined ring popped off of the control arm. Probably a good
thing that it did it now, as opposed to when it's on the car, but what's the
best way to reunite this ring and the control arm?
Regards,
Theo
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