What size is the ball joint pinch bolt on a 89 LX?

[nikonnut]

Hey all,
Just broke down and bought new lower control arms (mine have 200+K on them. Front end's getting a little scary :shock: ) and wouldn't you know it. No pinch bolts to clamp the spindle to the ball joint stud. Since the OEMs are aluminum ( I think they are OEM) and look to be good for maybe one re-tightening I want (need?) new ones. Anyone know what size they are so I can get some good steel replacements? I appreciate the help.

Cheers,
Chris

[FB71]

huh? The OEM bolts were Grade 10.9 steel, not aluminum. No idea what size they are, never needed to replace one.

[88festiva1.3l]

42.00 for each side www.partsamerica.com

[nikonnut]

I'm guessing that since the car was wrecked on the side in question the bolt was replaced with whatever was in the coffee can :? I'll keep digging.

42.00 is a heck of a deal. Wish I had seen that before I went with the McParts brand. Not too bad of a part but I really need that bolt. Sigh

Cheers,
Chris

[FB71]

huh? its just a nut and bolt... I think its 8mm x 50mm

[88festiva1.3l]

yup true can it with a new one lowes or home depo take the part with u to go get a lock washer and bolt
thats wut i would do

[nikonnut]

Thanks,
I'll go get an assortment tomorrow. Now at least I have a base line to start from.

Cheers,
Chris

[Damkid]

huh? its just a nut and bolt... I think its 8mm x 50mm

True, but need to be careful the bolt does not have threads where the ball joints rides on

i had this problem, the bolts the shop installed on my car had threads where the ball joint rides and after time wore the threads down enough that it let the ball joint slip through and fall apart

it took me a while to figure out why it happens, then i seen the bolt which i still have as a reminder

[quaddawg]

mine came with new nuts and bolts...

$42 each side

http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=TRW&MfrPartNumber=10779&PartType=2071&PTSet=A

[FB71]

huh? its just a nut and bolt... I think its 8mm x 50mm

True, but need to be careful the bolt does not have threads where the ball joints rides on

i had this problem, the bolts the shop installed on my car had threads where the ball joint rides and after time wore the threads down enough that it let the ball joint slip through and fall apart

it took me a while to figure out why it happens, then i seen the bolt which i still have as a reminder

my point was that it's just a nut and bolt, not worth $42. But, you are absolutely correct.

[88festiva1.3l]

u guys like how i just got a deal on them damn parts dont u

[quaddawg]

my point was that it's just a nut and bolt, not worth $42. But, you are absolutely correct.

uh... I think he meant the whole control arm/ball joint was $42?

[jglutz]

If the threads damaged the ball joint or vice versa.....it was never properly installed....I'm not saying threads are ok.
What I want to say....The tapered pin stays in place by clamp pressure.
The groove in th pin is a safety feature to keep the pin from falling out.
The pins are tapered to provide easy release, just a slight tap and it is disengaged. This minimizes risk/damage to the bore.

If the joint was properly installed/alligned, and properly tightened, the thread damage should have never happened.

[FB71]

u guys like how i just got a deal on them damn parts dont u

first, watch the language. I'll ban you before you can blink, if you don't.

second, If you mean that $42 for each LCA is a bargain, I would say its average. They can be had in pairs, with swaybar bushings and pinch bolts for less than $60 on Ebay.

[Damkid]

The pins are tapered to provide easy release, just a slight tap and it is disengaged. This minimizes risk/damage to the bore.

i must have missed that because the ball joint pins do not look tapered to me and i've had mine separated more times than i can remember

If the joint was properly installed/alligned, and properly tightened, the thread damage should have never happened

the bolts that were installed on my car had threads starting where the ball joint pin rests, so threads were holding the pin in place, when the threads wore down, the pin fell through,

the bolts were wrong to use and i still have one if you would like a picture to describe what i mean