I started this thread under the new members intro, so I wanted to move it here instead. Here are some pics so far
Do you mean the sleeve through the center of the polyurethane bushing? If so that is by design---the tabs (brackets) on the frame are intended to capture it so that when the bolt is tightened the tabs clamp the sleeve tight. They should not clamp against the polyurethane portion. If this is what you did you should have spread the tabs, not shortened the center sleeve.One of the spacers in the bushing was too long for the brackets on the frame and had to be removed and ground down to fit
As I said, it is supposed stick out of the bushing. If you encounter that again spread the frame tabs rather than shortening the bushing sleeve.Yes, the metal portion was a bit too long on one of the lower arms. Fit perfectly on the other side. It was less than an 1/8in off so I just ground it down slightly. I wasn't sure if the powder coat made it too snug or if the piece was cut too long. It was sticking out of the plastic bushing slightly as well.
Solid advice right there.Egchewy,
I am not much further along than you and at my rate of progress will probably be way behind in no time. Just about each step so far has been met with frustration of some sort. Tabs too narrow, too wide, UCAs incorrect, etc... After reading several build threads, mock up your work and ask for opinions before finalizing. Everything that you are going through has already been figured out by someone else. Learn from their trial and errors. Before modifying something, ask questions. Somehow, I was lucky with the ball joints. They threaded right on without issue. I had read that putting in the freezer helps. Mine were in my quite cold garage offered no resistance. I did use a wire brush on the threads first to get any crud off but had no issue. Once I got the "looks good" responses to pictures I posted on the other forum, I loosened and added thread locker and tightened on my bench vice.
I am going the donor route. My next step is to prep my donor rear end and set up the 3 link.
Good luck!
Rob
Should or should not melt the grease?Heat the a-arm, not the ball joint. It should have to get so hot that the grease melts.