Some previous owner welded the end caps on my upper control arms...

[HeavyHauler]

I took the suspension apart on my 1968 Chevy C10 396 shortbed fleetside truck and was in the process of trying to remove the upper control arm shafts when I noticed somebody had placed a 1/2 inch bead of weld on each of the control arm shaft end caps. They did it to both the passenger and driver side! LOL!

Was there ever a common issue with the upper control arm shaft end caps coming loose on these trucks?

Anyways I guess that I will need to hit the classified here to see if anybody has a set of upper control arms for sale.

Ya never know what you will find working on old cars and trucks that is for sure!

[firedemon]

someone probably changed them out and stripped the threads but could be someone just didn't trust they would stay put. is it welded all the way around or just tack welded ? if just tack welded they might be able to be saved

[HeavyHauler]

Originally Posted by firedemon

someone probably changed them out and stripped the threads but could be someone just didn't trust they would stay put. is it welded all the way around or just tack welded ? if just tack welded they might be able to be saved

Yep thats what I was thinking also. They just tack welded a small 1/2 part. I cut the tack and I going to go buy a 1 3/8 socket tomorrow to try and break it loose.

If I nicked the lip of the control arm while trying to cut the tack weld do you think it would harm the fit or installment of the new one?

[Steeveedee]

OK, the weld is on the a-arm and the outer shell of the bushing? If, when you take it apart, and the outer bushing spins in the a-arm, if it were me, I'd buy new a-arms. If not, the nicking on the edge shouldn't change anything. Just look around at what people do with frames and steering components to modify their rides.

[HeavyHauler]

Originally Posted by Steeveedee

OK, the weld is on the a-arm and the outer shell of the bushing? If, when you take it apart, and the outer bushing spins in the a-arm, if it were me, I'd buy new a-arms. If not, the nicking on the edge shouldn't change anything. Just look around at what people do with frames and steering components to modify their rides.

Yes a small 1/2 inch long weld bead was applied to where the lip of the A-arm and the end cap or outer bushing meet together.

[toolboxchev]

Cut the weld, take them off. Replacements are cheap. Moog stuff is about 30 bucks right now, USA made even, from Jegs.

[cebra]

I did my control arms at a friends hot rod shop and he insisted I tack weld them to keep them from backing off. After seeing how thin the threads are I understand, lot of torque and not a lot of meat to bite into.

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

The end caps were welded on my 71. The welds were very small, I could barely see them. Three or four spots each cap. I can't swear that was factory, but the parts were original.

[HeavyHauler]

Originally Posted by 71CHEVYSHORTBED402

The end caps were welded on my 71. The welds were very small, I could barely see them. Three or four spots each cap. I can't swear that was factory, but the parts were original.

Was there welds on both the upper and lower control arms?

[71CHEVYSHORTBED402]

Originally Posted by HeavyHauler

Was there welds on both the upper and lower control arms?

Yes.

Originally Posted by RichardJ

My alignment guy is old school. No Lazer/computer. He's had the shop for 30 years. He learned from his dad, who had the shop for decades before him.
He tack welds them, "as a matter of course".

Be cool if he aligned my truck I've never heard that expression before, I like it.