DJB2000, thanks for the insight. I started this project with a simple replacement of the upper control rod because the ball joint was bad. It went so well that I thought i would replace the rubber in the bearing brackets. Again, no problems. I got the bracket off, pressed out the rubber bushings with a vice and installed new ones. Made a home made hydraulic press by turning my floor jack on its side and pressing out the track rod mount. Cleaned it up and pressed in the new one, again no problem. Then it was time for reassembly and this is where the s#%& hit the fan....

The usual problem of no room to thread in the track rod mount was a major PIA. In the process I realized the threaded end of the mount (not the track rod) is seized in the rubber. No way it will turn. So, to get around the problem I removed the spring (had to buy a Klann style spring compressor on eBay). Butchered the outer tie rod end in the process and eventually got the track rod out. I will thread the rod in on the floor and then install the rod/breacket assembly as one piece then connect the forward end of the rod.

All in all this has been an expensive, painful, and lengthy process. No plans on doing the right side at all. Any one thinking of diving in to rework the front suspension be prepared. I will hopefully have it back together tomorrow.

Anyway, my original question is if any one has seen the threaded end of the track rod mount (brand new) seized. My guess is it is an old part (ordered from Performanc Products) that has just aged into rigor mortise on the shelf.

Thank God for PB Blaser and long breaker bars !!!

Sorry for the rant but it been a long hot day on the garage floor !!!