cant get new steel bushing to thread into new lower control arm - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Justins76 · 01-01-2011, 11:19 PM

I had to buy a new lower control arm that uses the steel bushings. I also bought new moog bushings. The problem I am having is how do I thread the bushings into the control arm since there are no threads already cut into the arms since they are new. I tried putting in the shaft, centering it, then screwing on both ends onto the arm. Once hand tight, I used my impact wrench but I can only get them in maybe 1/2 turn before they stop. Anyone have any tips? Thanks

Mike Bradbury · 01-02-2011, 12:47 AM

Post up azpicture of what you got, that will help us to see what the problem is.
Posted via Mobile Device

Justins76 · 01-02-2011, 03:50 PM

I cant get the end cap to screw in in that photo since the new arm has no threads.

**N2TRUX** · 01-02-2011, 04:44 PM

Stop! You should have press in bushing for 73+ A-arms and shafts. I'm not sure what you have there, but it appears to be a mismatch between 61-72 style threaded shafts and 73+ press in arms.

Justins76 · 01-02-2011, 04:48 PM

These are the 73-87 1 ton arms. Aren't only 1/2 tons press ins?

**N2TRUX** · 01-02-2011, 07:25 PM

AFAIK all 73-87s are press in.

**lolife99** · 01-02-2011, 07:29 PM

I think the 1-ton 73-87 arms did have steel bushings.
My '89 (squarebody) crew cab had them.

texastrendz · 01-02-2011, 08:03 PM

That looks like a screw in version arm to me, the bushing style arms have a wider head so that the bushings have two places to rest. It will have to layers of metal on the busing style. I have never purchased a new arm, so i do not know if they come threaded or not. Keep us posted on the solution.

cdowns · 01-02-2011, 08:18 PM

i'd buy a tap and make threads if your sure that is what is needed// i'd take the bushing with me to make sure i get the right size tap

texastrendz · 01-02-2011, 08:33 PM

cdowns, if i remember right it is a strange thread size. the threads are a very light depth and are very course. i do not know where you would find one like it. you might want to check with an old school chassis shop or alignment. not ntb or any mass store, you are looking for the old school one that the guy working at it is chain smokin cigs, while drinkin coffee on a bar stool.

Justins76 · 01-02-2011, 08:49 PM

I'll call around monday and see what I find. Should have just got the ones with the bushings installed instead of trying to save money doing it myself.

Mike Bradbury · 01-02-2011, 10:15 PM

I guess my question would be; how did the old ones come out? did you unscrew them or press them?

Justins76 · 01-02-2011, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Bradbury

I guess my question would be; how did the old ones come out? did you unscrew them or press them?

This was a new control arm I bought and it came bare.

Justins76 · 01-03-2011, 09:36 PM

Out of the all places I called, one place offered to do the bushings for $50 PER bushing. That's $200 for both control arms. Another place would do it for $20 labor each, but then I'd have to buy their brand of bushings to put in. A 3rd place said they'd machine the bushing threads off and tack weld it in.

Rock auto has complete arms for $50 shipped with the bushings in them, Think I'll go that route.

62 Bowtie · 01-04-2011, 01:17 AM

Rock Auto? got a link? thanks, Tony

Justins76 · 01-04-2011, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 62 Bowtie

Rock Auto? got a link? thanks, Tony

www.rockauto.com and lookup part #520113 and 520114.

Looks like the raised the price $20 each since I bought.

01-01-2011, 11:19 PM	#1
Justins76 OutOfMyMind & I'llNeverKnowWhy Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Another world, some other time Posts: 672	cant get new steel bushing to thread into new lower control arm I had to buy a new lower control arm that uses the steel bushings. I also bought new moog bushings. The problem I am having is how do I thread the bushings into the control arm since there are no threads already cut into the arms since they are new. I tried putting in the shaft, centering it, then screwing on both ends onto the arm. Once hand tight, I used my impact wrench but I can only get them in maybe 1/2 turn before they stop. Anyone have any tips? Thanks __________________ -Justin-Out of my mind and I'll never know why 1976 Chevrolet Silverado C10 350 4bbl / TH350 Big10 longbed 1986 Pontiac Firebird T-Top 5.0L TPI 700R4 WS6 1992 Pontiac Firebird T-Top 5.0L TBI 700R4 My cardomain page I don't like to save, it's more fun to spend!! Last edited by Justins76; 01-01-2011 at 11:20 PM.

01-02-2011, 12:47 AM	#2
Mike Bradbury Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego California Posts: 1,316	Re: cant get new steel bushing to thread into new lower control arm Post up azpicture of what you got, that will help us to see what the problem is. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ I'd rather attempt something great and fail.. than try something ordinary and succeed. Norman Vincent Peale Project: Barn Raising http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=414961 Project: 30 Be Low https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=830583

01-02-2011, 03:50 PM	#3
Justins76 OutOfMyMind & I'llNeverKnowWhy Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Another world, some other time Posts: 672	Re: cant get new steel bushing to thread into new lower control arm I cant get the end cap to screw in in that photo since the new arm has no threads. Attached Images __________________ -Justin-Out of my mind and I'll never know why 1976 Chevrolet Silverado C10 350 4bbl / TH350 Big10 longbed 1986 Pontiac Firebird T-Top 5.0L TPI 700R4 WS6 1992 Pontiac Firebird T-Top 5.0L TBI 700R4 My cardomain page I don't like to save, it's more fun to spend!!

01-02-2011, 04:44 PM	#4
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: cant get new steel bushing to thread into new lower control arm Stop! You should have press in bushing for 73+ A-arms and shafts. I'm not sure what you have there, but it appears to be a mismatch between 61-72 style threaded shafts and 73+ press in arms. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

01-02-2011, 07:25 PM	#6
N2TRUX Happy to be here Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 39,021	Re: cant get new steel bushing to thread into new lower control arm AFAIK all 73-87s are press in. __________________ Follow me on Facebook and Instagram @N2trux.com Articles- "Jake" the 84 to 74 crewcab "Elwood" the77_Remix 85 GMC Sierra "Scarlett" "Refining Sierra"

01-02-2011, 04:48 PM	#5
Justins76 OutOfMyMind & I'llNeverKnowWhy Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Another world, some other time Posts: 672	Re: cant get new steel bushing to thread into new lower control arm These are the 73-87 1 ton arms. Aren't only 1/2 tons press ins? __________________ -Justin-Out of my mind and I'll never know why 1976 Chevrolet Silverado C10 350 4bbl / TH350 Big10 longbed 1986 Pontiac Firebird T-Top 5.0L TPI 700R4 WS6 1992 Pontiac Firebird T-Top 5.0L TBI 700R4 My cardomain page I don't like to save, it's more fun to spend!! Last edited by Justins76; 01-02-2011 at 04:49 PM.

01-02-2011, 07:29 PM	#7
lolife99 67-72 parts collector,… Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Mid-MO Posts: 22,700	Re: cant get new steel bushing to thread into new lower control arm I think the 1-ton 73-87 arms did have steel bushings. My '89 (squarebody) crew cab had them. __________________ Keith Convert to disc brakes. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=444823 Last edited by lolife99; 01-02-2011 at 07:30 PM.

01-02-2011, 08:03 PM	#8
texastrendz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: HOUSTON TX Posts: 1,161	Re: cant get new steel bushing to thread into new lower control arm That looks like a screw in version arm to me, the bushing style arms have a wider head so that the bushings have two places to rest. It will have to layers of metal on the busing style. I have never purchased a new arm, so i do not know if they come threaded or not. Keep us posted on the solution.

01-02-2011, 08:18 PM	#9
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: cant get new steel bushing to thread into new lower control arm i'd buy a tap and make threads if your sure that is what is needed// i'd take the bushing with me to make sure i get the right size tap __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

01-02-2011, 08:33 PM	#10
texastrendz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: HOUSTON TX Posts: 1,161	Re: cant get new steel bushing to thread into new lower control arm cdowns, if i remember right it is a strange thread size. the threads are a very light depth and are very course. i do not know where you would find one like it. you might want to check with an old school chassis shop or alignment. not ntb or any mass store, you are looking for the old school one that the guy working at it is chain smokin cigs, while drinkin coffee on a bar stool.

01-02-2011, 08:49 PM	#11
Justins76 OutOfMyMind & I'llNeverKnowWhy Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Another world, some other time Posts: 672	Re: cant get new steel bushing to thread into new lower control arm I'll call around monday and see what I find. Should have just got the ones with the bushings installed instead of trying to save money doing it myself. __________________ -Justin-Out of my mind and I'll never know why 1976 Chevrolet Silverado C10 350 4bbl / TH350 Big10 longbed 1986 Pontiac Firebird T-Top 5.0L TPI 700R4 WS6 1992 Pontiac Firebird T-Top 5.0L TBI 700R4 My cardomain page I don't like to save, it's more fun to spend!!

01-02-2011, 10:15 PM	#12
Mike Bradbury Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego California Posts: 1,316	Re: cant get new steel bushing to thread into new lower control arm I guess my question would be; how did the old ones come out? did you unscrew them or press them? __________________ I'd rather attempt something great and fail.. than try something ordinary and succeed. Norman Vincent Peale Project: Barn Raising http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=414961 Project: 30 Be Low https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=830583

01-03-2011, 09:36 PM	#14
Justins76 OutOfMyMind & I'llNeverKnowWhy Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Another world, some other time Posts: 672	Re: cant get new steel bushing to thread into new lower control arm Out of the all places I called, one place offered to do the bushings for $50 PER bushing. That's $200 for both control arms. Another place would do it for $20 labor each, but then I'd have to buy their brand of bushings to put in. A 3rd place said they'd machine the bushing threads off and tack weld it in. Rock auto has complete arms for $50 shipped with the bushings in them, Think I'll go that route. __________________ -Justin-Out of my mind and I'll never know why 1976 Chevrolet Silverado C10 350 4bbl / TH350 Big10 longbed 1986 Pontiac Firebird T-Top 5.0L TPI 700R4 WS6 1992 Pontiac Firebird T-Top 5.0L TBI 700R4 My cardomain page I don't like to save, it's more fun to spend!!

01-04-2011, 01:17 AM	#15
62 Bowtie Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Elk Grove Ca Posts: 629	Re: cant get new steel bushing to thread into new lower control arm Rock Auto? got a link? thanks, Tony

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