cant align 63 c10 - upper control arm bracket bolts are boogered up

just got a call from the alignment shop and they can get the 63 close but will pull right. turns out i garbled the threads on the 2 bolts that hold the upper control arm in place on the drivers side when i switched the 63 crossmember for the 79 one to get disks.

my question is: what would work best of the options:

- i still have the stock crossmember with good threads on the studs on the bracket. i can try and use the torch to loosen them and pop them out and do the same on the 79 and swap them. looks like the same part is used on bth the 63 and the 79 so if i can get them out that may work.

- should i just cut out the rivets on the bracket on both trucks and swap them (will the 79 bracket fit the 63 frame rail? id think so but i cant recall.)

- or just order up a new setup from LMC and worry about the install?

if i can reuse the parts i have then great but if its a huge headache ill drop the 80 bucks and just get the new part shipped.

the part is #12 on this diagram: http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/CC/full.aspx?Page=146

the boogered up bolts are part # 13 which is the same on both trucks.

thanks all. hope to drive it soon

 

At least they told you about it. A number of years ago I had an alignment shop drop and loose the nuts. They then proceeded to scrounge up some nuts with the worng threads on them. The result of all this was when they tightened up the nuts the torque was right but the shims all fell out while I was driving home. I wasn't real happy.

 

I am pretty sure that the bolts are removable, just go to the autoparts store and but two new bolts, give them to the alignment guy and walk out. He'll call you when he is done.

 

yeah i wayyyyyyyyyy overthought that - as usual. i went out and within 5 minutes with some pb blaster and a 5lb sledge i was able to get the stock ones out. prob is the whole crossmember needs to get dropped down to get the old bolts out and slip these in. not impossible but too much for an alignment shop. so hes going to get it as close as he can and if its too far out ill drop the crossmember and install these then go back. chock it up to yet another lesson learned - DONT STRIP BOLTS!!

 

At least not on your suspension.