help! upper control arm driving me nuts! - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

goatmonkey · 07-09-2006, 15:57

i replaced the uper contrl arm because the ball joint was going out but now the joints where it connects to the frame are squeeking and knocking. i'll drive around a while with it alright, it'll start with the noise, i'll tighten it up and it disappears but it starts up again. is something wrong with these things or am i just not tightening it up enough? anyone have the same problem and know how to fix it?

atec77 · 07-09-2006, 18:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by goatmonkey

i replaced the uper contrl arm because the ball joint was going out but now the joints where it connects to the frame are squeeking and knocking. i'll drive around a while with it alright, it'll start with the noise, i'll tighten it up and it disappears but it starts up again. is something wrong with these things or am i just not tightening it up enough? anyone have the same problem and know how to fix it?

tighten until the spring washed under the nut deforms and goes flat and then add some... if it comes loose again pop the threads .

goatmonkey · 07-11-2006, 11:46

there's no washers, at least nothing that looks like it should deform. what do you mean by pop the threads?

Natedog · 07-20-2006, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by goatmonkey

there's no washers, at least nothing that looks like it should deform. what do you mean by pop the threads?

Don't understand the pop the threads deal either?!??

Look at the manual and make sure that you're not missing a lock washer or something in there. Also when you re-assemble suspension, you should fully assemble it (leaving the bushing bolts slightly loose), set it on the tires, bounce the suspension a couple times and then fully tighten all the bushing bolts!!! They maybe be binding up due to this preload and loosening the bolts. A little BLue Loctite goes a long way too.