[DeTomaso] machine ball joint to modify alingment

[STEVEN BLUM]

I recently found what I suspect is a problem with the front end. Aparently when I had the suspension bushings changed the new ones were installed wrong causing an alignment problem. My question is, how much of a project is it to disassemble the front end, correct the busing and reassemble the front end? Is this a job only for an experienced mechanic or someone with mechanical skills but limited experience can handle? What special tools are required?

Steven Blum
P.O. Box 81 
Shoreham, N.Y. 11786 
H (631) 744-6118 
C (631) 235-1905



 
> From: JDeRyke at aol.com
> Date: Sun, 2 May 2010 14:41:26 -0400
> To: boyd411 at gmail.com; detomaso at realbig.com
> Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] machine ball joint to modify alingment
> 
> 
> In late '07, I did a series of newsletter articles on altering the 
> Pantera's front & rear suspension geometry. Coleman Racing sells Chrysler-type 
> take-apart ball joint bodys with varying length studs attached. Varying the 
> length of the stud positions the a-arm they're mounted to at different heights 
> above the upright, thus changing the a-arm angle and the car's suspension 
> geometry. Chrysler's stud-taper is identical to Ford's taper so our front & 
> rear uprights need not be altered at all. 
> 
> There was also the newsletter article in April '08 on adapting these 
> aftermarket Chrysler-type ball joints to the Pantera. These ball joints are widely 
> used in dirt racing cars and most bolt-on hot-rod suspensions, & can be 
> added with little machining to 6 of a Pantera's 8 a-arms: the Pantera's lower 
> rears don't use a ball joint. They have threaded bodies and screw into a-arm 
> recepticles. This means they can be changed at a track without a press very 
> quickly. Rather than tap the Pantera a-arms (rear) or the modified carriers 
> (fronts), I shaved the threads off the Chrysler-type bodies and pressed them 
> into modified Pantera balljoint carriers, locking them with one stock mount 
> bolt for added security. The huge tap would have been expensive, and 
> welding premade threaded recepticles to the a-arms would be a bit permenent.
> 
> Later, I milled out aluminum front ball-joint carriers to lighten things 
> up. Our Pantera handles quite well with these ball joints- in place since 
> mid-'08- with one 1000 mile road trip to Las Vegas on them as well as laps at 
> Pahrump racetrack..... They can be reverted back to stock easily, & were cheap 
> to boot. Cheers- J DeRyke
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