1964 Dodge Dart 270 Slant Six Restoration

KosmicKuda said
It's not unusual for the BJ "threads" in the UCA's to be stripped. Sometimes people think they are pressed in and 20 ton press later...junk. There is a special socket to fit the UCA BJ, small and large. You would need the smaller.

The hole is not really threaded like a machine thread. More like a suggestion of a thread. Maybe when new, there was just a smooth bore in the UCA and the BJ cut the threads when installed.

At any rate, it's not uncommon to put some small welds around the outside of the BJ for added safety.

The UCA"s are a non-wearing part and can (and should) be rebuilt with bushings and BJ"s. If my BJ"s are in good shape, I keep them.

If it was me, I'd check the one you have and if not saveable, I'd buy a used one from someone on this list and go from there.

P.S. I find it easier to replace the UBJ while the control arm is on the car. It doesn't have to be fully installed but you can use some ordinary 1/2" bolts to hold the UCA .

Well my dad and I worked on it this weekend. We jacked up the car, and using a small scissor jack, pushed up on the knuckle/lower ball joint area to relieve pressure on the upper control arm. We attempted to remove the old ball joint, but it was snug in its connection to the knuckle. So we said "what the hell" and screwed the old one back in. Sure enough, with some pressure relieved, it went right back in and we were able to achieve torque. We're presently debating adding some spot welds to it for stability and then replacing the whole shooting match if there's an issue after that.

I'm pleased to say that I've been able to drive on it no issue for the past few days. The engine flooded while it was below freezing out and had to have it towed 3/4 mile to my mechanic (tow trucks are amazingly expensive). They didn't charge me to fix that and charge up my battery, and they checked the balljoint.

Once I get a new steering coupler (just waiting on the one Pishta sent), I'll install that, make a few adjustments where necessary, and go get an alignment done by my mechanic.