1975 Mercury Montego upper control arm nuts
Printed From: The Ford Torino Page
Category: Model Specific Forum
Forum Name: 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
Forum Description: Technical discussion for 1972-1976 Ford and Mercury
URL: https://forum.grantorinosport.org/forum_posts.asp?TID=20560
Printed Date: 18-April-2024 at 10:07PM
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.06 - https://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: 1975 Mercury Montego upper control arm nuts
Posted By: pyntre
Subject: 1975 Mercury Montego upper control arm nuts
Date Posted: 18-January-2023 at 11:55AM
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I have everything apart and out to the powder coater as far as front suspension goes . Is there a source for new lock nuts for the upper control arm shafts , the nuts that tighten the bushings up ? I don’t think there would be a problem reusing these lock nuts , they have never been off before I took them off . But if there is a source for new ones, what the heck ! |
Replies:
Posted By: 72 RS 351
Date Posted: 18-January-2023 at 3:21PM
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If the hardware is very good and well made, you can use red loctite to lock the threads together. ------------- Don 73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000+ rpm 351-4V &4R70W 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W |
Posted By: pyntre
Date Posted: 24-January-2023 at 6:48AM
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Wondering if there is a left and right to the front upper control arms on a 75 ? Or if they are symmetrical side to side ? One of mine is rusted to a point I am not sure about its integrity so wondering if I need to look for the specific side or not . They sure look identical laying on the floor !
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Posted By: 72 RS 351
Date Posted: 24-January-2023 at 6:57AM
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I think they are identical. But lay one on top of the other and notice the location of the BJ's. If they are different, looking down at them, the BJ's will be moved left or right of each other. ------------- Don 73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000+ rpm 351-4V &4R70W 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W |
Posted By: pyntre
Date Posted: 24-January-2023 at 9:02AM
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I can’t see any difference in them laying them on top of each other. Side by side End to end Looks the same . I may call Green Sales and see if ford lists them as different part numbers
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Posted By: Cerberus
Date Posted: 24-January-2023 at 10:42AM
Try McMaster Carr for the low profile nylon stop nuts. I don't know what the size is. In fact, try McMaster Carr for anything, love that place. http://www.mcmaster.com/stop-nuts/high-strength-steel-thin-nylon-insert-locknuts/" rel="nofollow - http://www.mcmaster.com/stop-nuts/high-strength-steel-thin-nylon-insert-locknuts/ ------------- Three Dogs - Rob '72 GRAN TORINO SPORT '10 F-150 RAPTOR '23 Explorer ST '72 RANCHERO 500 (future build) '72 GRAN TORINO SPORT (donor CAR) |
pyntre wrote:Posted By: 72 RS 351
Date Posted: 24-January-2023 at 10:43AM
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Someone here soon will chime in say for sure. I took mine to work in about 1989 and spent an hour or two grinding all of the edges smooth, just to kill some time to make them nicer before painting them. I also installed Delrin bushings so my fuzzy memory tells me they were identical when I put them on. ------------- Don 73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000+ rpm 351-4V &4R70W 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W |
Posted By: pyntre
Date Posted: 24-January-2023 at 11:49AM
| The cross shafts seem to have a funky fine thread to them . I need to take one of the shafts with me to find some replacement nuts . What is the difference between a “ thin” profile lock nut and a regular size lock nut ? Why did they use such a thin nut on those cross shafts I wonder ??? |
Posted By: californiajohnny
Date Posted: 24-January-2023 at 8:11PM
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i believe they are the same IIRC if you need an A arm let me know i have a few
------------- JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
Posted By: Cerberus
Date Posted: 25-January-2023 at 3:41AM
It's the profile of the hex area. Std nut are taller laying flat on a table. The pics are a guess at 3/4"-16 thds/in. I'm not sure what the thread dia and pitch is. 16 thds per inch was the finest thrd pitch I saw in a 3/4" locknut on McMaster Carr.   ------------- Three Dogs - Rob '72 GRAN TORINO SPORT '10 F-150 RAPTOR '23 Explorer ST '72 RANCHERO 500 (future build) '72 GRAN TORINO SPORT (donor CAR) |
Posted By: pyntre
Date Posted: 25-January-2023 at 4:46AM
| My simple thought process is more threads in a nut equals more clamping / holding force . Is that wrong to assume that ? Maybe they used the thinner lock nuts because the cross shaft isn’t built with enough threads to fully engage a standard lock nuts “ locking” feature . I looked at pictures I took before disassembling them and there are only about 3 threads left outside the thin nut . That may be the reason !! Going to the hardware store this afternoon with a cross shaft to see if I can find an acceptable thin lock nut ! Worst case scenario, I reuse the original ones , apply locktite , and reference how tight they are with a marking pencil and watch them over time for backing off . |
Posted By: Cerberus
Date Posted: 25-January-2023 at 5:03AM
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You're correct about the more threads, less threads strength thing. Sounds like you have a plan. Hopefully you can source the nuts locally. ------------- Three Dogs - Rob '72 GRAN TORINO SPORT '10 F-150 RAPTOR '23 Explorer ST '72 RANCHERO 500 (future build) '72 GRAN TORINO SPORT (donor CAR) |
Posted By: pyntre
Date Posted: 25-January-2023 at 5:28AM
| I am fortunate to have a family owned hardware store near me that has the end all , be all , of nuts and bolts selection !! They have bolts that are 28$ a piece and everything in between ! It’s really a Disney land kinda place for a hot rodder !!! |
Posted By: 72 RS 351
Date Posted: 25-January-2023 at 8:07AM
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The control arm bolts and nuts are a severe duty item that should always have red loctite put on them. I use a drop on caliper to spindle bolts, those CA's I'd use two drops for each. ------------- Don 73 Ranchero "Sport 72 front end", floor shift/console, planning EFI 7000+ rpm 351-4V &4R70W 73 Ranchero GT 351C-4V &4R70W for sale later. 92 Lincoln Mark VII SE GTC, OBDII 347/4R70W |