A arm install HELP! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

whatnow123 · 12-26-2006, 08:42 PM

Is there a trick installing these? The bolt at the end threads into the rod and into the arm itself and I'm not sure how it does both on both ends?

HELP!

motopatzo · 12-26-2006, 09:55 PM

It's been a couple of years since I did one but as I recall........what I used to do was equally center the "rod" in the A-arm and then put the caps on the ends. I can't remember the torque......would have to look it up

whatnow123 · 12-26-2006, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motopatzo

It's been a couple of years since I did one but as I recall........what I used to do was equally center the "rod" in the A-arm and then put the caps on the ends. I can't remember the torque......would have to look it up

Thanks, I'll have to give that a try as I keep bottoming out one.

Sweet72 · 12-26-2006, 11:08 PM

Make sure the upper and lower shafts are centered and are'nt binding before positioning and bolting to the crossmember. If you have the shaft too close to one bushing and farther away from the other, they will lock up.

whatnow123 · 12-26-2006, 11:19 PM

This is what I've finally found on this site.. after I gave up for the night. Oh Well.

remove A arm and remove balljoint
remove old bushings & shaft
disassembled
screw in one bushing
screw shaft into bushing
screw in 2nd bushing
next the balljoint
use the grade 8 bolts
install back on truck
tighten everything up & grease
Some tips. Screw in the first bushing all the way into the A arm. then after greasing the shaft, screw it all the way into the bushing, then unscrew it out one turn. Then screw the other bushing into the A arm. Snug them down good. I have seen the bushings tack welded to the A arm, just be sure to tack them so they can be removed later.
There may be other ways to do this, but this is how I've done it over the years. If anyone has anything to add please feel free.....eb

I'll give this a try later this week. Special thanks to Efabman for posting this.

whatnow123 · 12-27-2006, 12:59 PM

Has anyone else completed rebuild? I'll take any advise at all. I'll do a write up on it on what worked once I get it together. (also my lower A arm had over an 1inch of play but seems solid on the truck which was weird)

Jayss109 · 12-27-2006, 01:31 PM

Keep the shaft centered (like said). Install the new rubber bushings, then bolt thme back up to the frame. grease the heck outta them.

Oh, just read what "whatnow" wrote... Thats exactly what I did.

Make sure and NOT crossthread those caps. Really easy to do, then they are garbage, or can ruin the a arm as well. Clean up the threads real well and go for it.

J

12-26-2006, 08:42 PM	#1
whatnow123 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 835	A arm install HELP! Is there a trick installing these? The bolt at the end threads into the rod and into the arm itself and I'm not sure how it does both on both ends? HELP! Attached Images Last edited by whatnow123; 12-26-2006 at 08:44 PM.

12-26-2006, 09:55 PM	#2
motopatzo Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: maple ridge, b.c., canada Posts: 190	Re: A arm install HELP! It's been a couple of years since I did one but as I recall........what I used to do was equally center the "rod" in the A-arm and then put the caps on the ends. I can't remember the torque......would have to look it up

12-26-2006, 11:08 PM	#4
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	Re: A arm install HELP! Make sure the upper and lower shafts are centered and are'nt binding before positioning and bolting to the crossmember. If you have the shaft too close to one bushing and farther away from the other, they will lock up. __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction. Last edited by Sweet72; 12-26-2006 at 11:09 PM.

12-26-2006, 11:19 PM	#5
whatnow123 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 835	Re: A arm install HELP! This is what I've finally found on this site.. after I gave up for the night. Oh Well. remove A arm and remove balljoint remove old bushings & shaft disassembled screw in one bushing screw shaft into bushing screw in 2nd bushing next the balljoint use the grade 8 bolts install back on truck tighten everything up & grease Some tips. Screw in the first bushing all the way into the A arm. then after greasing the shaft, screw it all the way into the bushing, then unscrew it out one turn. Then screw the other bushing into the A arm. Snug them down good. I have seen the bushings tack welded to the A arm, just be sure to tack them so they can be removed later. There may be other ways to do this, but this is how I've done it over the years. If anyone has anything to add please feel free.....eb I'll give this a try later this week. Special thanks to Efabman for posting this.

12-27-2006, 12:59 PM	#6
whatnow123 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 835	Re: A arm install HELP! Has anyone else completed rebuild? I'll take any advise at all. I'll do a write up on it on what worked once I get it together. (also my lower A arm had over an 1inch of play but seems solid on the truck which was weird)

12-27-2006, 01:31 PM	#7
Jayss109 Active Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 235	Re: A arm install HELP! Keep the shaft centered (like said). Install the new rubber bushings, then bolt thme back up to the frame. grease the heck outta them. Oh, just read what "whatnow" wrote... Thats exactly what I did. Make sure and NOT crossthread those caps. Really easy to do, then they are garbage, or can ruin the a arm as well. Clean up the threads real well and go for it. J



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