Hey, first time I tried to remove and install an upper control arm. I over thread the bolt on the ball joint, now the nut wont tight it anymore, and the thread is mess up. You can still see the thread line, but it almost smooth it out, although when I tried to bolt it up, the bolt hold the nut tight, meaning I can't pull down or anything like that. Is it ok to drive it like that since the wheel is pushing up the ball joint bolt all the time anyway right? Or I have to replace the ball joint?

Thank you all,

btw, it a 95 Honda Accord, lowered (if that matter at all).

 

NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!

Do not drive your car with damage to the ball joints, especially if you are unable to properly torque the castle nut. Upper ball joints are unloaded joints, there is nothing holding them into the spindle but that nut.

If that joint separates while you are driving you will be unable to steer or brake, and more than likely destroy the front suspension.

You will have to replace the entire control arm, as upper ball joints cannot be removed from the control arm. Play it safe, they are less than $50.

 

How did you strip it?

 

It was my first time trying to change it, and I didn't know the proper torque so I keep on tighten it. But yeah, I change a new one already. Thanks

 

Don't drive with a strip ball joint, pretty sure you want to live. anyways the upper ball joints can be remove, since your car is lower go ahead and buy a "ball-joint" camber kits, about $69. Kill two birds with a stone: replacing a bad/strip ball joint and not having to worry about camber issues. hope this helps

 

Actually skracer, the upper ball joints are integral to the upper control arms, and cannot be separated from each other without destroying one. The entire control arm must be replaced.
Just for future reference.
If you knew that then I apologize for misreading your post.

 

Sorry if I didn't make it clearer, IT'S NOT MADE TO BE REPLACED but can be (please don't try if not mechanically incline) by gently grinding on the top portion of the ball joint and flipping it over and HAMMERING it, the ball joint will come out, but as chikin pickle mention, the old ball joint will be damaged, but if you do get a ball-joint camber kit then no worries. I have done this procedure on many vehicles, including a 95 Accord with no issues. But if it sounds to difficult, take chikin pickle's advice and just buy a new arm. But either way, under no circumstance should operate your vehicle under the current condition.

 

Thanks all. The stripped bolt doesn't look bad actually, but I just want to make sure before doing anything. I was planning to replace just the ball joint itself but I decided to just get a whole arm replacement. I did think of the camber kit one, but I am not very good with these things until I actually see someone doing it in front of me. I def. don't want to try and mess up more lol

 

Ah, indeed. I applaud you for your continuing work in the field of presidential engineering :D

 

Yo, I just posted a new thread about this but figured I would ask here too. I can't find torque specs for the upper control arm bushing bolts. I figured the new ones would come tight but they're loose. I don't want to over tighten them and mess up the bushings. Should I just use the old ones as a guideline? How did you do yours dtran?