Can't remove Ball Joint from Hub

[Pu241]

This may be beyond my abilites.. Im not sure. The bad part is, I dont think I can drive the car the way it is. The LCA came with no bolts at all, so I'm on my own there. I need a suggestion for proper bolt and nut to replace it with. I'm not sure what you mean about a washer.

No its not beyond you, many of us have been where you are now.
Fix this and your capabilities are expanded.

Do you have a reciprocating saw or have access to one?

Correct, Do Not drive it.
Do you have another vehicle for transportation?

We will get the correct nut parameters, M1?x1.??.
Anyone know the correct specs for this nut.
Otherwise, hit Lowe's Metric department and check the thread of the bolt that came with your kit.
Then find the corresponding nut, better if its a flare nut (back end of the nut wider than the front).
If not a washer with the proper dimensions to fit into the boxed area from which you will extract the remains of the broken caged nut will due fine.

[Pu241]

Cutting wheel to the frame rail, weld the nut back up and then weld the frame back up.

See lots of help!
bhazard, will come over with his welder to help you!

[batstiva]

^^ John, he's saying his kit didn't really come with any hardware, so taking the bolt to Lowe's probably ain't happening. Lemme go check the bottom of my toolbox, and see if I have any of those bolts left over from changing mine. Assuming Aspires and Festivas use the same bolt?

[Pu241]

^^ John, he's saying his kit didn't really come with any hardware, so taking the bolt to Lowe's probably ain't happening. Lemme go check the bottom of my toolbox, and see if I have any of those bolts left over from changing mine. Assuming Aspires and Festivas use the same bolt?

You are correct, my mistake.
The kits usually come with a new bolt, but not the nut.
But, the cheaper the kit the less you get.
I got a nice one years ago; new body to control arm bolt and flared nut, plus new pinch bolt and nut.
Let me see if I can find some old ones as well, did one about 1 1/2 ago.
Old hubs, LCA's, and axles still sitting were I put them.
Maybe, the old bolt will be there too.

Update: No old bolts last kit might not have had any.

[codex]

So, I have removed the LCA. I had help from a man (who did not speak english) that has a cutting wheel. The cage is still inside there, but the nut is out of it. I am a little concerned with the way he cut it out, the grinding wheel marred up the insides of where the control arm mounts. Also, it is bent, so I tried hammering it back. I don't know what to do now. I have no idea what bolts and nuts to get and whether or not the car is even safe with the mounting area being bent and marred.


This is on my Festiva by the way, not the Aspire. Some people are thinking this is on the Aspire.

[Pu241]

Get some pics of the damage for us.
Bastiva is looking into the bolts for you.
I didn't have any that I could find.

[MTec007]

man. i'm so close to being able to help you find the right bolt, i drive right past fastenal to and from work, but the only bolts i have are on the car, and also i go to work before they open and i go home after they close i'd really like to be able to help

[codex]

Thanks for all the help guys. I defiantly need a new bolt and nut to attach the LCA to the frame. That is of course if the frame is not too messed up from being bent and cut. Should I just go to the hardware store and find one that fits?

[MTec007]

Thanks for all the help guys. I defiantly need a new bolt and nut to attach the LCA to the frame. That is of course if the frame is not too messed up from being bent and cut. Should I just go to the hardware store and find one that fits?

i wouldnt do that, you really need to get an a good grade bolt, they have ratings and are not all the same. i would recommend 10.2 or better but maybe someone here can back me up or disprove me, i would hate to cause you grief or severe damage via misinformation.

[codex]

i would recommend 10.2 or better but maybe someone here can back me up or disprove me

Would I find this at a hardware store or auto parts store?

[bhazard]

Big hardware store MAYBE, small town stores generally dont go over grade 8. Fastenal is your best bet...

[Pu241]

Big hardware store MAYBE, small town stores generally dont go over grade 8. Fastenal is your best bet...

He list his location as Akron, OH.

There are 3 Fastenal stores list under Fastenal.com

Thanks to TominMO we know the LCA to body bolt is the same as the rear lower strut bolt.

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29414

And, I know Festiva_Tunner did a serious amount of work to get replacements for the rear bolts and nuts for the Aspire swap.
He has the Fastenal numbers for them.

I recommend PMing him for this information.

[codex]

Thanks for the info. I'm going to PM him.

[batstiva]

FWIW, I just picked up a set of LCAs for the blue car. Haven't done them yet on that one. And I know at least the pass. side needs changing. Anyway, they came with bolts/nuts/lock washers for the LCA to frame attachment point. The only thing stamped on the bolt is "10.9"

[codex]

UPDATE!! Ok, so I have the part #s from fastenal thanks to Festiva Tunner.

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=11114682&ucst=t

http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=0161932&ucst=t

Im curious, why is the nut grade 8 and the bolt 10.9.. is this correct? Also, do I also need any washers?

Here are pictures of the damage on the car. It was suggested by my cousin (who is a mechanical engineer) that I should have the cuts filled with a welder. The cage is still inside, can I leave it like that and still put a new nut in there? Anyone around me have a welder?

Hopefully I can have this on the road again by Ohiostiva.