D-150 questions Tires Control, arm, lift

[Aaron83d-150]

I recently bought a 83 d-150 with a broken passenger upper control arm. I got some solid arms and I found some tires there 31-10.5-r15 do I need a lift to run these tires? Also what’s the best way to change a control arm?

 

[reek]

not sure about the tire question but changing the upper control arm is a matter of supporting the vehicle, separating the upper ball joint and then unbolting the frame attachment. the lower control arm compresses the spring against the frame spring support and the shock should limit the sudden decompression of the spring when you separate the ball joint.

The pain in the butt part is removing the old ball joint from the upper control arm. It is actually threaded in and you need a special socket for an impact wrench to get it out. Having said that, I've done 4 upper control arms already and stripped every one. of course, the control arms are 45 years old in my case. The new balljoint threaded in but with less than confidence inspiring feel. I ended up tack welding the upper arm to the ball joint for peace of mind.

 

[crazzywolfie]

reek. the upper control arm is broke. no need to worry about replacing the balljoint on a broken control arm.

just jack the front end up so you can take the tire off. remove the castle nut and hammer the spindle around the ball joint till it pops. you could also try a ball joint separator but they can be hit and miss whether they work but sometimes make it a bit easier to get the balljoint to pop along with hammering on the spindle.

 

[reek]

I love action shots! Something just inherently cool about a disassembled car.

I meant more on the 'new' control arm. I'm assuming it's used and may still have the old BJ in there.

 

[crazzywolfie]

that was when i had to replace the upper control arm bolts because i snapped one when i went to do an alignment. ended up replacing upper control arm bushings also since it was easier to just cut through them than deal with seized bolts.

ah ya. new control arm might need a new ball joint but hopefully if it is in good shape the ball joint will be in good shape also.

 

[reek]

OT: Crazzywolfie, since you have a bunch of experience with these old trucks, I'll ask. how much 'normal mileage' are you getting from your ball joints? are they pretty much life time with good maintenance? I put all new Moog parts in and my build will be a daily driver so I was just curious.

 

[crazzywolfie]

the only vehicle i have had to do ball joints on was my 89 but it also needed a universal joint. if it wasn't for the universal joint i wouldn't have touched it. otherwise with basic maintenance they really don't wear out too much. tie rods on the other hand seem to wear out but the boots on those tend to dry out and fail allowing the elements get at them. i put about 40k miles on the 93 since i got it and as far as i can tell it still has the stock ball joints and it is currently at 165k miles.

 

[Aaron83d-150]

I got the control arm in without too much trouble. I cleaned up all the rims and painted those. I’m still unsure about the tires tho, I picked up as set of 31s with decent tread and need to mount those up and see if they fit.