Topic: 65 Upper Control Arm Tags

[66RavenGTCoupe]

Hi Guys,
I found these tags on my wife's Sept 64 SJ convertible. Ball joints are bolted in so the were replaced right?
Are the tags original?

Thanks,

Dan.

[67gta289]

That is correct.  A pretty common wear item.

[Bob Gaines]

That is correct.  A pretty common wear item.

+1 . tags not assemblyline.

[J_Speegle]

Labels were commonly included in the replacement kits of a number of the big suppliers in the 70-80's

[66RavenGTCoupe]

Anyone have pics or info on how these control arms should be restored?

From what I can tell from the originals the arm and shaft are satin black and bolts and large shaft end nuts are phosphate and oil. Nuts that mount inside engine bay are zinc.
Is this correct?

[J_Speegle]

Anyone have pics or info on how these control arms should be restored?

From what I can tell from the originals the arm and shaft are satin black and bolts and large shaft end nuts are phosphate and oil. Nuts that mount inside engine bay are zinc.
Is this correct?

The shaft and ends are dark heat treated steel. Doesn't mean much in the long runs since that end of the A arm will all get dipped in black paint before installing the arm

[66RavenGTCoupe]

Thanks Jeff,
So basically top end of arm, including shaft and bolts are all semi gloss black and lower third of arm where ball joint attaches is natural?

[J_Speegle]

Thanks Jeff,
So basically top end of arm, including shaft and bolts are all semi gloss black and lower third of arm where ball joint attaches is natural?

Correct - about 2/3rd black - 1/3rd natural once everything is assembled

[66RavenGTCoupe]

Awesome,
Thanks Jeff.

[Bob Gaines]

Thanks Jeff,
So basically top end of arm, including shaft and bolts are all semi gloss black and lower third of arm where ball joint attaches is natural?

to add , they were dipped in paint using the ball joint end as a lifting point . I replicate that using a rectangle trash can filled with semigloss black paint and let hanging to dry. I seal the trash can lid to preserve the paint for next dipping session. You can't get as good of a paint line by taping off.

[jwc66k]

Here's a link to my method - http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=3704.msg20117#msg20117
Jim

[66RavenGTCoupe]

Good link, Thanks. 

Are the ball joint ends treated or just left bare to rust?

Also just realised that the thread on the A arms where the large shaft nuts screw in are damaged to the point that the nuts just spin in the hole. They tighten up once the shaft is installed but restrict the shaft pivot somewhat. Do I have to get rid of these arms or can this be repaired?

[J_Speegle]

Are the ball joint ends treated or just left bare to rust?

For shipping and storage believe they were coated to reduce/eliminate rust. Don't often rust on a well cared for car.

o just realised that the thread on the A arms where the large shaft nuts screw in are damaged to the point that the nuts just spin in the hole. They tighten up once the shaft is installed but restrict the shaft pivot somewhat. Do I have to get rid of these arms or can this be repaired?

If the threads are stripped out on the arm its often easier to start with better ones than try and repair. Some drivers you may find tack weld the large end nuts to the A arm. Something done at alignment nuts to hide that they stripped out   

[J_Speegle]

Here is another example of ones used by some/one of the aftermarket ball joint makers in the past - sent to me by   drschones