$10 Upper Ball Joint Socket - Really

Your sure about self tapping RRR?

The ones I've done recently had very shallow, rounded crest threads, not sharp AT ALL.

Don't see any way they could possibly self tap.

Also, all the ones I've done are super easy to cross thread because of that odd, shallow thread design.

If it doesn't go in at least a full turn and then some by hand, start over.

Positive. When you buy a new control arm, they are not threaded. I remember when they were still available from Chrysler new. They were not threaded from Chrysler either.