Rear control arm change

[wpavlis]

My father was in town this weekend so I had an extra hand. I needed to replace my rear springs from all the times my father and grandfather overloaded the old girl when They were on the farm. It seemed only fitting that he help me fix it. I reconditioned a set of control arms I picked up cheap on craigslist. I had hoped to get both done, but my old nemesis rust put a stop to that. We gave my grinder and cutoff wheel a good workout. I had to cut out the u bolt, front pivot bolt, and even the top spring mounting bolt out. The front pivot bolt is below. Tough work but it felt good to wrench with my father, even though most of the work was done with a grinder. Now I just need to find a torque wrench that goes to 200ftlbs for the new ubolt.

[AussieinNC]

Yep, I have warned several here to make sure they have all new fasteners,,,,on hand before they start...

Most of these fasteners have been in place for 40 + years...and they dont like being moved in most cases...

Lots of rust remover spray...some heat sometimes and as you have discovered...split that nut with an air chisel and it will fall off....

Have fun...

[wpavlis]

Yeah, I tried heat and spray. Neither worked. I only have a small mapp gas torch, so maybe it wasn't enough. I don't have an air chisel so I cut some slots in the nut and used a chisel and hammer. I just decided to cut out the upper spring mount. The nut that goes in the frame was fused with the washer. I believe that any attempt to remove it any other way would have been futile. Having replacement hardware is always a good idea. I find that even when I can get them out the are at least somewhat damaged.

[BugzC10]

Originally Posted by wpavlis

Yeah, I tried heat and spray. Neither worked. I only have a small mapp gas torch, so maybe it wasn't enough. I don't have an air chisel so I cut some slots in the nut and used a chisel and hammer. I just decided to cut out the upper spring mount. The nut that goes in the frame was fused with the washer. I believe that any attempt to remove it any other way would have been futile. Having replacement hardware is always a good idea. I find that even when I can get them out the are at least somewhat damaged.

I'm going to be doing same shortly. Who are you buying the hardware from?

[wpavlis]

I got the springs from gmc Paul's. I am pretty sure I got the spring mounts and u bolts from orange car and truck. I did end up buying a longer bolt for the lower spring mounts as the bolt that came in the kit was short. The front pivot bolt I used came with my used control arms. They came off an az truck and had no real rust on them. They are just standard grade 8 bolts available at any hardware store. I can measure length and size if you need it.

[BugzC10]

Originally Posted by wpavlis

I got the springs from gmc Paul's. I am pretty sure I got the spring mounts and u bolts from orange car and truck. I did end up buying a longer bolt for the lower spring mounts as the bolt that came in the kit was short. The front pivot bolt I used came with my used control arms. They came off an az truck and had no real rust on them. They are just standard grade 8 bolts available at any hardware store. I can measure length and size if you need it.

Thanks, but found the size...3/4-10 x 4”. No luck with local big box or hardware. Found a set on eBay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-3-4-10x4-G...53.m1438.l2649

[GASoline71]

Yup... our local Ace Hardware has 2 isles dedicated to fasteners. Fastenal is the distributor that stocks them. Great stuff!

Gary

[ho70]

http://www.bowtiebits.com/store/stor...ategory_ID=111

[AussieinNC]

https://www.mcmaster.com/

or

LMCTRUCK...

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/full.aspx?Page=65