Re-Installing new Control arms & bushings...lil' Help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ChevyDude · 10-25-2004, 12:10 PM

Ok my wheels of progress move slow....but I am ready to put my new upper and lower Control arms together and wanted to see if anyone has any tips how to keep the "A" arms centered as you tighten the caps through the "A" arms and onto the actual control arm. There is inside and outside threads to all go together and be centered. Is it best to install the upper Control to the frame and then screw on the caps through the "A" arm and onto the Control arm??? How about the larger lower Control arm...How do you keep it from spinning as you tighten the caps??? Is that what that hole indention is for...some sort of tool???? Any help or tips will be appreciated! Ball Joint install upper/lower was a snap....providing you have a press for the lower ball joint.

Thanks!

zooza · 10-25-2004, 12:36 PM

so... ttt

Spoof · 10-25-2004, 01:05 PM

I'm trying to think back to my bushing replacement...?
If I remember correctly the end caps are tightened by alternately turning one cap and then the other the same amount, this ensures it is horizontally centered. It can be difficult and may require someone to hold the bushing at first. I think the indentation should line up with a flange or something to prevent the bushing from spinning, damned if I can remember, It's not for a special tool though.
I lent out my manual so I can't even refresh my memory!
I do remember the installation was a helluva job and I had to re-do at least one side because I had something reversed, and it was hard as hell wrenching the caps back on the bushing. I put my bushings in when the A-arms were off the vehicle, I had to wedge them under something in order to exert enough torque!

ChevyDude · 10-25-2004, 01:13 PM

On the top Control arm you can bolt it to the frame, slide the bushings on and put the "A" arm around it. Then screw in the caps through the "A" arm and onto the Control arm. This way the Control arm won't spin because it's bolted to the frame. Just wondering how you keep it centered. The lower is another story as U bolts hold it on to the frame....so.....

Come on guys...Someone has done this job and inquiring minds want to know!

68w/sbc406 · 10-25-2004, 03:28 PM

i will be watching this thread cause i have never done control arm work before. be tackeling it by christmas

Spoof · 10-25-2004, 04:31 PM

Alex,
I believe the only trick to keeping the bushing centred is to tighten both ends alernating from one side to the other. For instance half a turn on the left half a turn on the right and so on until they're both cranked down. Either the manual or the parts installation instructions indicated this was the proper way to ensure centred installation.

ChevyDude · 10-25-2004, 03:25 PM

ttt

10-25-2004, 12:10 PM	#1
ChevyDude Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 3,071	Re-Installing new Control arms & bushings...lil' Help Ok my wheels of progress move slow....but I am ready to put my new upper and lower Control arms together and wanted to see if anyone has any tips how to keep the "A" arms centered as you tighten the caps through the "A" arms and onto the actual control arm. There is inside and outside threads to all go together and be centered. Is it best to install the upper Control to the frame and then screw on the caps through the "A" arm and onto the Control arm??? How about the larger lower Control arm...How do you keep it from spinning as you tighten the caps??? Is that what that hole indention is for...some sort of tool???? Any help or tips will be appreciated! Ball Joint install upper/lower was a snap....providing you have a press for the lower ball joint. Thanks! __________________ Alex 1971 Lil' Red 350 SBC 700R4 Last edited by ChevyDude; 10-25-2004 at 12:45 PM.

10-25-2004, 12:36 PM	#2
zooza Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: LINDEN, TN. Posts: 260	i want to know too so... ttt

10-25-2004, 01:05 PM	#3
Spoof Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Victoria,BC, Canada Posts: 1,300	I'm trying to think back to my bushing replacement...? If I remember correctly the end caps are tightened by alternately turning one cap and then the other the same amount, this ensures it is horizontally centered. It can be difficult and may require someone to hold the bushing at first. I think the indentation should line up with a flange or something to prevent the bushing from spinning, damned if I can remember, It's not for a special tool though. I lent out my manual so I can't even refresh my memory! I do remember the installation was a helluva job and I had to re-do at least one side because I had something reversed, and it was hard as hell wrenching the caps back on the bushing. I put my bushings in when the A-arms were off the vehicle, I had to wedge them under something in order to exert enough torque! __________________ 71 GMC 1500 LWB Last edited by Spoof; 10-25-2004 at 01:08 PM.

10-25-2004, 01:13 PM	#4
ChevyDude Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 3,071	On the top Control arm you can bolt it to the frame, slide the bushings on and put the "A" arm around it. Then screw in the caps through the "A" arm and onto the Control arm. This way the Control arm won't spin because it's bolted to the frame. Just wondering how you keep it centered. The lower is another story as U bolts hold it on to the frame....so..... Come on guys...Someone has done this job and inquiring minds want to know! __________________ Alex 1971 Lil' Red 350 SBC 700R4

10-25-2004, 03:28 PM	#5
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	i will be watching this thread cause i have never done control arm work before. be tackeling it by christmas __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

10-25-2004, 04:31 PM	#6
Spoof Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Victoria,BC, Canada Posts: 1,300	Alex, I believe the only trick to keeping the bushing centred is to tighten both ends alernating from one side to the other. For instance half a turn on the left half a turn on the right and so on until they're both cranked down. Either the manual or the parts installation instructions indicated this was the proper way to ensure centred installation. __________________ 71 GMC 1500 LWB

10-25-2004, 03:25 PM	#7
ChevyDude Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 3,071	ttt __________________ Alex 1971 Lil' Red 350 SBC 700R4

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