Lower control arm issue

[bigjoe77]

I searched on the suspension forum, but I couldn't find a thread pertaining to my issue. I got my lower control arms cleaned up and painted, then went to install new shafts and realized that the threads on the control arms were so thin that the new shaft nut really didn't have any threads to turn into. Is there a tap and die kit in existence to fit that large of a hole? Can a sleeve be inserted and tapped?

[snacks]

the nut actually threads on to the shaft the controll arms just guide it and all of them are like that, just start each side by hand then drive them home a little on each side till there tight

[bigjoe77]

That's part of the problem. I can't even get the nut to start in the control arm. When I finally did get the nut to start it began to cross-thread into the control arm.

[snacks]

it should start on the cross shaft first,,both sides and then it will go into the controll arm on its own. you should be able to thread each end cap onto the center cross shaft and as you tighten them they make there way into the ends of the controll arm, make sure you have the correct cross shaft

[lsteiner72]

should be able to center the shaft and get both caps started on.... what you think were threads in the arm are really like barbs so that the cap cant back out... this is why they are so hard to get off

[bigjoe77]

Thanks for the replies. I'll try your suggestions tomorrow.

[TobyArnot]

_____Did anyone mention: You'll likely need a big (1-1/16?) socket and a long pull handle?

[bigjoe77]

Yeah I took them off...which was a pain the you know what. I started to put the new one on, but wanted to make sure it was alright if the "nuts" of the control arm shaft didn't squarely screw in to the control arm. From what I can gather it shouldn't really make a difference, right?