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

gopokes · 05-08-2010, 01:04 PM

I am in the process of rebuilding the front end, the front cap will tighten all the way down but the back one still has a small gap. Do you think that it could be bound up somehow? The control arm still moves freely so I didn't think that was it. It is really starting to frusterate me. Hopefully someone can help, Thanks!

Front.

Back.

texastrendz · 05-08-2010, 01:27 PM

yes the caps should seat like the first pic. the only shaft that i found that would work correctly when i did mine was by the moog company. all the others would bind on the way in. yes i did make sure the caps threaded in all the way before i put the shaft in. you need to see if it is the cap or the shaft that is the problem. this is why i have no converted to the 73-87 arms. i feel your pain.

gopokes · 05-08-2010, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by texastrendz

yes the caps should seat like the first pic. the only shaft that i found that would work correctly when i did mine was by the moog company. all the others would bind on the way in. yes i did make sure the caps threaded in all the way before i put the shaft in. you need to see if it is the cap or the shaft that is the problem. this is why i have no converted to the 73-87 arms. i feel your pain.

So you had this happen with multiple shafts? Has anyone else had this problem?

dwcsr · 05-08-2010, 04:19 PM

This happens when they are not centered in the arm as per the GM manual.

Wrenchbender Ret · 05-08-2010, 04:53 PM

I think DW hit on it. Try turning the shaft towards the front cap. I,ve put many of these on 1 ton trucks & have never had that problem.

gopokes · 05-08-2010, 06:27 PM

By "turn the shaft" you mean maybe with a pipe wrench? I was beginning to think I should loosen the rear cap and tighten the front one down more. Would that help? Thanks for the help guys.

Wrenchbender Ret · 05-08-2010, 06:41 PM

The shaft needs to be centered in the arm. Measure the distance from the bolt holes to the edge of the arm. It should turn fair ly easily with a bar in one of the holes. You will have to back the rear cap back a little as it is probably binding on the shaft. The shaft has threads like the caps so it should move when turned.

gopokes · 05-08-2010, 06:45 PM

Ok, so I will try backing off the rear cap, hopefully that will help.

dwcsr · 05-08-2010, 06:44 PM

loosen the ubolts and turn the shaft toward the seated nut. You should be able to run the nuts all the way in, it may take a pipe wrench to turn the shaft but not a lot of force. The assembly should move freely.

05-08-2010, 01:04 PM	#1
gopokes Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oklahoma City Oklahoma Posts: 431	Lower control arm shaft caps I am in the process of rebuilding the front end, the front cap will tighten all the way down but the back one still has a small gap. Do you think that it could be bound up somehow? The control arm still moves freely so I didn't think that was it. It is really starting to frusterate me. Hopefully someone can help, Thanks! Front. Back. __________________ My build thread - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=391224

05-08-2010, 01:27 PM	#2
texastrendz Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: HOUSTON TX Posts: 1,161	Re: Lower control arm shaft caps yes the caps should seat like the first pic. the only shaft that i found that would work correctly when i did mine was by the moog company. all the others would bind on the way in. yes i did make sure the caps threaded in all the way before i put the shaft in. you need to see if it is the cap or the shaft that is the problem. this is why i have no converted to the 73-87 arms. i feel your pain.

05-08-2010, 04:19 PM	#4
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,131	Re: Lower control arm shaft caps This happens when they are not centered in the arm as per the GM manual.

05-08-2010, 04:53 PM	#5
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,229	Re: Lower control arm shaft caps I think DW hit on it. Try turning the shaft towards the front cap. I,ve put many of these on 1 ton trucks & have never had that problem.

05-08-2010, 06:27 PM	#6
gopokes Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oklahoma City Oklahoma Posts: 431	Re: Lower control arm shaft caps By "turn the shaft" you mean maybe with a pipe wrench? I was beginning to think I should loosen the rear cap and tighten the front one down more. Would that help? Thanks for the help guys. __________________ My build thread - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=391224

05-08-2010, 06:41 PM	#7
Wrenchbender Ret Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Overland Park, Ks. Posts: 5,229	Re: Lower control arm shaft caps The shaft needs to be centered in the arm. Measure the distance from the bolt holes to the edge of the arm. It should turn fair ly easily with a bar in one of the holes. You will have to back the rear cap back a little as it is probably binding on the shaft. The shaft has threads like the caps so it should move when turned.

05-08-2010, 06:45 PM	#8
gopokes Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oklahoma City Oklahoma Posts: 431	Re: Lower control arm shaft caps Ok, so I will try backing off the rear cap, hopefully that will help. __________________ My build thread - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=391224

05-08-2010, 06:44 PM	#9
dwcsr Hollister Road Co. Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston Posts: 6,131	Re: Lower control arm shaft caps loosen the ubolts and turn the shaft toward the seated nut. You should be able to run the nuts all the way in, it may take a pipe wrench to turn the shaft but not a lot of force. The assembly should move freely.



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