Lower control arm issue - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bigjoe77 · 12-12-2011, 10:29 PM

I searched on the suspension forum, but I couldn't find a thread pertaining to my issue. I got my lower control arms cleaned up and painted, then went to install new shafts and realized that the threads on the control arms were so thin that the new shaft nut really didn't have any threads to turn into. Is there a tap and die kit in existence to fit that large of a hole? Can a sleeve be inserted and tapped?

snacks · 12-12-2011, 10:35 PM

the nut actually threads on to the shaft the controll arms just guide it and all of them are like that, just start each side by hand then drive them home a little on each side till there tight

bigjoe77 · 12-12-2011, 11:43 PM

That's part of the problem. I can't even get the nut to start in the control arm. When I finally did get the nut to start it began to cross-thread into the control arm.

snacks · 12-13-2011, 01:24 AM

it should start on the cross shaft first,,both sides and then it will go into the controll arm on its own. you should be able to thread each end cap onto the center cross shaft and as you tighten them they make there way into the ends of the controll arm, make sure you have the correct cross shaft

lsteiner72 · 12-13-2011, 01:45 AM

should be able to center the shaft and get both caps started on.... what you think were threads in the arm are really like barbs so that the cap cant back out... this is why they are so hard to get off

bigjoe77 · 12-17-2011, 12:39 AM

Thanks for the replies. I'll try your suggestions tomorrow.

TobyArnot · 12-17-2011, 10:19 AM

_____Did anyone mention: You'll likely need a big (1-1/16?) socket and a long pull handle?

bigjoe77 · 12-23-2011, 10:59 PM

Yeah I took them off...which was a pain the you know what. I started to put the new one on, but wanted to make sure it was alright if the "nuts" of the control arm shaft didn't squarely screw in to the control arm. From what I can gather it shouldn't really make a difference, right?

12-12-2011, 10:29 PM	#1
bigjoe77 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Georgetown Kentucky Posts: 203	Lower control arm issue I searched on the suspension forum, but I couldn't find a thread pertaining to my issue. I got my lower control arms cleaned up and painted, then went to install new shafts and realized that the threads on the control arms were so thin that the new shaft nut really didn't have any threads to turn into. Is there a tap and die kit in existence to fit that large of a hole? Can a sleeve be inserted and tapped?

12-12-2011, 10:35 PM	#2
snacks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: rocklin california Posts: 142	Re: Lower control arm issue the nut actually threads on to the shaft the controll arms just guide it and all of them are like that, just start each side by hand then drive them home a little on each side till there tight

12-12-2011, 11:43 PM	#3
bigjoe77 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Georgetown Kentucky Posts: 203	Re: Lower control arm issue That's part of the problem. I can't even get the nut to start in the control arm. When I finally did get the nut to start it began to cross-thread into the control arm.

12-13-2011, 01:24 AM	#4
snacks Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: rocklin california Posts: 142	Re: Lower control arm issue it should start on the cross shaft first,,both sides and then it will go into the controll arm on its own. you should be able to thread each end cap onto the center cross shaft and as you tighten them they make there way into the ends of the controll arm, make sure you have the correct cross shaft

12-13-2011, 01:45 AM	#5
lsteiner72 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Waukesha,WI Posts: 25	Re: Lower control arm issue should be able to center the shaft and get both caps started on.... what you think were threads in the arm are really like barbs so that the cap cant back out... this is why they are so hard to get off

12-17-2011, 12:39 AM	#6
bigjoe77 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Georgetown Kentucky Posts: 203	Re: Lower control arm issue Thanks for the replies. I'll try your suggestions tomorrow.

12-17-2011, 10:19 AM	#7
TobyArnot Quit if it's not FUN!!! Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Indian Trail, N.C, Posts: 864	Re: Lower control arm issue _____Did anyone mention: You'll likely need a big (1-1/16?) socket and a long pull handle?

12-23-2011, 10:59 PM	#8
bigjoe77 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Georgetown Kentucky Posts: 203	Re: Lower control arm issue Yeah I took them off...which was a pain the you know what. I started to put the new one on, but wanted to make sure it was alright if the "nuts" of the control arm shaft didn't squarely screw in to the control arm. From what I can gather it shouldn't really make a difference, right?



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