So I found my first real problem with my repu. I was under the truck and noticed the drivers side lower control arm bolt was loose. I went to tighten it but immediatly recognized both the bolt and nut were stripped. I going to try and find a replacement castle nut today since it looks like I may be able to get it down to the good threads (about 1/2" is messed up) but im thinking replacement would be best. I thought it was just a long bolt but it has a collar at one end that bolts to the control arm and a single bolt through the middle of the "bolt" at the other end. I dont have a picture of it removed because once I pull it out Im going to have to compress the springs and I want the truck movable until I goto replace the part. So here are my questions:

1) What is this part called? Im calling it a control arm bolt but its not a simple bolt?
2) I know they made changes to the 77 suspension from earlier models. Am I looking at a 77 only part? Any suggestions for other similar vehicles that may have this same part?
3) Anyone have a 77 parts truck with a drivers side control arm thats good?

Front side of control arm bolt (good threads).


Back side (stripped) of control arm bolt.

 

That is called the "Control Arm Shaft"

rock auto has 2 brands listed, $33 for one and $41 for the Moog brand

-billy

 

thanks Billy! I looked but they do look slightly different than what is under my truck. I checked and its the same part # for earlier model repus so Im hoping a phone call will prove the stock image isnt correct. Mine looks like this:

 

I'm in the same boat as you. Threads are messed up until the cotter pin hole. I had put an order in at rockauto for the lower control arm shaft before I found out my problem and I was told that they dont carry it anymore. They actually had it in their system and took it out. I was thinking if a new castle nut doesn't work, then maybe welding it and re-threading it might work. Just a thought...

 

Yup I just had it pointed out the rockauto listed item is the upper shaft and not the lower I need (curses!!!). If I cant find one then Im going to go the route of cleaning up the remaining threads with a die (or tap??) or try something like having it welded and re-threaded. BTW is that something a machine shop would do for me or would I just get a wierd look?

To be quite honest I dont see that the nuts are needed at all. I mean its bolted to the subframe and with both end bolts off it doesnt move at all. Of course I dont want to be driving down the road when I hit a big enough bump so I just need to find a safe way to fix it.

 

Sorry about that I glanced at the pics quickly and did not notice the lower is what you were after.

Good luck wit the search.

-bily

 

Thats OK Billy maybe you should make me one to make up for it! ;-)

So far mazda and ford are no help so Im starting to lean towards finding a parts truck or repair the part to get her back on the road....

 

Have you been to mazdarepu.com? Some of those guys might be able to help you out..

 

I would contact Rare Parts in Kalliforny

 

just put a bolt and spot weld it til you find a replacement.

 

I have a parts truck i can rob one off of. Or you can drive down here and take the whole truck .

 

I have a similar thread going on over there. Ive had some of the same suggestions Ive had here as well as the mazda and ford replacement #'s. So far no luck though.

I just checked out rareparts.com and that looks very promising. thanks banzai...

Welding a nut on is moving up in the list of options - I miss driving it!

 

13B-RX3 you have a PM....

 

Whoa.... stop the presses everyone... This is a rare time when wackey says not to junk it



Have you tried a thread file... sometimes they can work magic

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item....re&dir=catalog

 

how does that work? I've never seen one of them before.

 

If I go the route of repairing the current part I dont think anything will fix the stripped threads - they are just gone. Now if I understood how to use that crazy file maybe it would work to clean up the start of the good threads so I can get the new nut on without trashing it too.

At this point I located a NOS part on mazdarepu.com but would probably prefer a slightly dirty and cheaper used part from 13B-RX3. But jeez if neither of those pan out at least I got several excellent suggestions on how to repair my current part. I may try them anyways and hold onto my damaged part if I can fix it enough to thread a bolt on. Thanks everyone!!

 

Thread files work when the threads are mushed as opposed to completely missing


the file its self has a different thread pitch on each face with 4 faces on either end. The red plastic handle slips off and can be placed on the opposite end for more thread choices.

The file doesn't really file material away... it "mashes" the threads back in shape. you would run the file perpendicular to the bolt (kind of like a regular file would be used to file material away)

below are pictures of a guy cleaning the threads on a bicycle bottom bracket
and a another of a guy cleaning head studs

 

That's a slick tool. Frank has one at the shop.