I am going back to stock on some suspension parts. I have one stock damaged rear Toe Arm. The damage is a torn boot and the threads on the ball joint are damaged. If I try to put the nut back on it will not thread correctly. It got this way because I was pounding on it with a 4lb sledge hammer without the nut protecting the threads. I was basically hitting it on every possible side until I found the solution to popping off the arms. Which was to put the nut back on and hit that with the sledge hammer until it releases.

I would rather not go and buy a used set of toe arms.

Here are pictures of the damage:





Is there a way to fix this?

I was thinking about pressing out the ball joint and putting on a new boot but I don't know the part numbers that will work with this toe arm.

 

You can order a new boot from the dealer. Have you tired to use a dye to repair the threads? As for the other marks as long as there are no visible cracks on the aluminum then you are good to go.

 

I don't have access to a die set that can repair a bolt this big. I know the boot is replaceable but I would like to know if anyone has ever pressed out the ball joint and then replaced it with a new ball joint.

 

If the threads aren't horrible you can use a metric thread file to massage them back to proper form (it's a 1.5mm pitch). I recently was having trouble removing the ball joint from the knuckle and ended up buying a Harbor Freight ball joint separator. It had the ball joints out in 30 seconds and didn't damage them. Unfortunately I didn't buy the separator until after I screwed up a few threads from missing the knuckle and hitting the balljoint threads.

 

Thanks! This idea just might work. I just ordered a metric thread file. I will post up results when I get the file and try to repair the threads.

 

Your a bit far or I would let you borrow my 14x 1.5mm die, which is the size you need iirc. if the threads aren't too bad you may be able to find a lugnut of that thread pitch and turn it slowly on there to straighten it out. Worst comes to worst I have a spare set of those arms In good condition I can send your way for cheap if you decide to.

 

TommiM is correct that the thread is M14 x 1.5. If you've already ordered the thread file I wouldn't bother with trying to thread a nut on. It works and won't cause any more damage than you already have.

On a side note, did you strip your toe adjustment bolts when removing them? I stripped threads on both rear toe adj. bolts and both rear camber adj. bolts. I've never stripped anything else on my car including exhaust manifold, hotside bolts, 02 bolts, etc. Even when I put new ones on I can see metal shavings in them from torquing them down.

 

Cool I will keep that in mind. Thanks

Yep I already ordered the file and its a tool I will definitely use more than once. I did not strip my adjustment bolts. I would just order replacement bolts for piece of mind.

I did damage the nut that goes on the rear toe arm. I just replaced it with OEM. The part number is MU432101. Which also can be used for the rear trailing arm.

 

I managed to repair my damaged ball joint threads with the metric thread file. I highly recommend everyone pick up a thread file for their tool box. It has paid for itself time and time again.

 

Wow, you spent a long time filing!