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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: tweaked on June 09, 2015, 12:18:00 AM

Title: upper control arm bolts
Post by: tweaked on June 09, 2015, 12:18:00 AM
I like to refer to my 71 pinto as the pinto in a box. The car was completely disassembled when I got it. I'm trying to put the front suspension back together. I am missing the bolts to bolt the upper control arms to the frame. They seem to be 1/2" thread with a 9/16 shank. Any ideas would be great.
Thanks Roger
Title: Re: upper control arm bolts
Post by: tweaked on June 09, 2015, 12:31:44 AM
(http://i1327.photobucket.com/albums/u680/65tweaked/1462902_10152047852673086_1515092023_n_zps7cglo0jq.jpg) (http://s1327.photobucket.com/user/65tweaked/media/1462902_10152047852673086_1515092023_n_zps7cglo0jq.jpg.html)
Title: Re: upper control arm bolts
Post by: pinto_one on June 09, 2015, 06:28:11 AM
Wow , does look like you got the Pinto version of the kit car,  I see that a roll cage is installed from the photo,  is the stock lower frame still there ,  on the nuts and bolts you can check with the people that make aftermarket suspension parts to use mustang II/ pinto parts in race cars , the conversions change the older cars steering box to the newer easy to work on rack and pinion steering, they use the same upper and lower A arms and hardware, try googling it under race car rack and pinion swap over.

Title: Re: upper control arm bolts
Post by: tweaked on June 09, 2015, 08:32:27 AM
Thanks but the new ones use a T bolt where mine is a  bolt or stud.
Roger
Title: Re: upper control arm bolts
Post by: 76hotrodpinto on June 09, 2015, 12:04:33 PM
Looks like a cool project. What else is in the box?

As for the mounting bolts, if it's what I'm thinking, just dig thru your bolt bucket and find anything that fits, then get some the right length with that thread. Very minor in the scheme of a project that large.
Title: Re: upper control arm bolts
Post by: oldkayaker on June 09, 2015, 05:58:35 PM
The cross member rack mounts look like 71-72 from what I can see, so it is assumed the control arms are also 71-72.  The 71-72 upper control to frame bolts are grade 8 (six points on head), there is a ~3/8" long unthreaded 1/2" round shank under the head, then 1/2" NC section about 1-3/8" long, then a small unthreaded ~3/8+" diameter by ~3/8" long at the end.  They use a 1/8+" thick split lock washer under the head.  Over all length from under side of head to end of threads is about 1-3/4".  See top bolt in picture.  A late model bolt will not fit as its shank is diamond or foot ball shaped and not round, etc.  See bottom bolt in photo.

For future searches, the matching thread to this one is:
http://www.fordpinto.com/index.php?topic=26145.0;topicseen
Title: Re: upper control arm bolts
Post by: 74 PintoWagon on June 09, 2015, 06:10:17 PM
Both threads should be merged together..
Title: Re: upper control arm bolts
Post by: Pinto5.0 on June 09, 2015, 06:23:20 PM
If you get hardware store bolts make sure the bolt, nut & washer are all grade 8 because this is not a place you want a silver grade 2 bolt to fail on you.
Title: Re: upper control arm bolts
Post by: tweaked on June 09, 2015, 11:48:02 PM
Oldkayaker thanks that is the bolt I'm looking for. The shank right below the head is actually bigger than 1/2". That is the problem. The hole in the control arm  is sized for that shank size. Which is not 1/2". I might just drill the holes out bigger and get the machinist at work to make a sleeve. Would prefer to put the right bolt in. Thanks for the pic.
Roger
Title: Re: upper control arm bolts
Post by: oldkayaker on June 10, 2015, 05:42:02 AM
Just to make sure, got out a couple calipers.  I checked several of the bolts and that unthreaded shank below the head measured between 0.491" and 0.496" in diameter.  The corresponding holes in the control arm cross shaft measured between 0.545" to 0.555" in diameter.  Is this extra clearance what you are worried about?  If so, note that the bolts are in shear but the main locating force comes from the friction between the control arm cross shaft and the frame.  The under side of the control arm cross shaft is even serrated to create extra friction with the frame.  If you want some old rusty factory bolts, pm me your address and I will mail you some no charge.  Looks like a great project.
Title: Re: upper control arm bolts
Post by: tweaked on June 10, 2015, 09:09:45 AM
Thanks, yes I was worried about the difference. Makes more semce now the way you explained it.
Thanks again Roger