upper control arm replacement

[dpariso]

Im in need of a torque spec for this nut ? Can anyone help?

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[Dagwoods]

No torque spec given. From the base kit build manual:

"Adjust the locknuts on the ends of the pivot shaft so that there is minimal endplay but so the pivots can still rotate easily on the shaft."
"If the pivots will not take grease, the endplay may be too tight."

I found that I initially installed them too tight and they would not take grease. I loosed them up just enough so that they would take some grease and then snugged them down a half turn and checked for binding.

[dpariso]

thanks for the tip Dagwoods. However, I got the old one off and the new FFR does not fit. It completely a different design... wider, taller, and the adjustment sleeves are in all the way. Also, the ball joint is max out to one side.
Anybody had this issue?
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[edwardb]

The upper ball joint should be pointed out not in. The UCA's come from the supplier assembled upside down for our use. Take them apart and flip 'em over. That means taking your ball joints out and putting them in again. Unfortunately, this is a very common mistake. You're not alone. Ball joints should be this direction, and the inner pivots with the zerks on top:

[dpariso]

ARGH! I really tightened the those ball joints tight... used GEREMAN torque spec's "good-din-tit"
If I flip it will them over, will it give me a better adjustment? what I mean is the adjustment sleeves are screwed all the way in

[Papa]

What spindles are you using? The UCA mounts differently with different spindles.

[edwardb]

What spindles are you using? The UCA mounts differently with different spindles.

Correct. The inner mount location is different if using Mustang spindles vs. the Factory Five 2-piece spindles. But the outer ball joint plate is the same in either case.

ARGH! I really tightened the those ball joints tight... used GEREMAN torque spec's "good-din-tit"
If I flip it will them over, will it give me a better adjustment? what I mean is the adjustment sleeves are screwed all the way in

As stated in the Factory Five instructions "Screw the upper ball joints into the control arms so that the balljoint angles out on the bottom." Also shows that way in several pictures. Unfortunately, doesn't mention that you have to change how they're assembled first. For a retrofit like this, you probably don't even have instructions so that makes it even more likely to assemble upside down.

Sorry. I know it's a pain. But they need to be flipped over. You shouldn't consider leaving it as is (if that's what you're suggesting). Not designed to work that way. Whatever adjustment issues you may or may not have are a separate issue. Get them installed properly first.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I see you have another thread going on this same subject. I posted this reply in the other:

I'm assuming that you are changing the uppers because the pivots seized on the cross shaft?

What you have are the latest version of upper control arms which are supplied by a different vendor than your originals hence a slightly different design.As Frank said you have them assembled incorrectly (yeah, I know, that's how they were delivered but it is not the correct configuration for our application). The ball joint plate must angle outward, not in as you have it. You'll need to remove the joint, reorient the ball joint plate and reassemble while keeping the grease fittings pointing up on the cross shaft links. It's a whole mix & match sort of puzzle!

As you are aware, I know your car. It uses Mustang spindles so the top mount position is correct. The adjustment sleeve lengths will change when you have the car aligned after changing the arms. You have manual steering so should not encounter the sleeve length problems that are common when trying to attain power steering alignment specs. BTW, when you align it or have it aligned you should be going for .5 degree negative camber, 3 degrees positive caster and 3/32" total toe in (very important that it is toe in, not out)

Good luck!

Jeff

Cheers,
Jeff

[dpariso]

I flipped them over to the correct orientation and it fit GREAT. I'm using Factory Five Spindles. However, does not look good for the adjustment sleeves. They are screwed all the way in. I'll take it to get aligned this weekend to see if it can be set to spec's

[Jeff Kleiner]

Unless you (or another owner after Scott) changed them from what the car was originally built with they are not FFR spindles. If the car indeed does now have FFR spindles you can not use the top mount holes for the control arms and will need to fabricate side mounts.

EDIT: I just looked at the photo in your post #3 and see the spindle adapter which confirms that they are Mustang spindles.

Jeff

[dpariso]

Hello all, the conversation about this topic is moved to the 'Ask A FF Tech'.