pics of stock control arms/front suspension please 73-87

[Puglia10]

Hey guys, mind posting up some pictures of your control arms for square bodies? My bushings arent going in and I want to make sure I have everything right. I dont see what could be wrong...by themselves, on a frame, together or apart, any pics will help...thanks!

[54Caddy]

Might want to look in my build thread in my signature some pictures may help you out

[fishingjred73]

I just took mine off today I'll post you some pics up tomorrow.

[Puglia10]

awesome thanks! anything will help

[Tx Firefighter]

[Puglia10]

awesome! thats what i wasnt sure of, it seemed like the shafts were too long cause those bushings dont sit flush on the outside, it looked weird. But yours are the same way so i guess thats right? how do you know how far to go, do they have to be exactly even?

[fishingjred73]

I see TX beat me but since I took em I'll post em anyway.

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by Puglia10

awesome! thats what i wasnt sure of, it seemed like the shafts were too long cause those bushings dont sit flush on the outside, it looked weird. But yours are the same way so i guess thats right? how do you know how far to go, do they have to be exactly even?

The bushings have a raised step around them. You press them in until the step is against the control arm.

[fishingjred73]

How do you get the old one's out?

[fishingjred73]

Finally got the uppers out, now trying to get the lowers out.

[Puglia10]

thanks everyone. to get them out we used a big press and an air chisel, and a torch on one that wouldnt move....it was a huuuge PITA

[Tx Firefighter]

I remove the nuts and washers then set the bushings on fire with a torch. I throw them on the pavement in front of the shop and let them burn until they're done. Then, with the rubber absent, it's an easy matter to fold the outer sleeves inward and push them out with an air hammer.

[Puglia10]

Okay, the new ones are pressed in!...... but the bump stop area is still crushed. Is that all necessary? The slit for the bump stop on the left, then the right side has a hole drilled (whats that for?) and then the piece sticking out from that, is that the steering stop? Has anyone else had crushed ones, what are my options? It seems impossible to recreate that perfectly as I dont have measurements from a good one or anything. Thanks

[Puglia10]

pics for reference what im talking about, sorry...

[peglegs]

TexFirefighter ty for posting the tip on removing the bushings your method worked out perfect and if you dont mind me adding that any residual rubber doesnt harded when cooling & spreads like the plauge, lol, burn it all!

[N2TRUX]

Originally Posted by Puglia10

Okay, the new ones are pressed in!...... but the bump stop area is still crushed. Is that all necessary?...

I prefer to run bump stops but thats just me. I hate it when a suspension system bottoms out and there are no stops to absorb the impact.

If it were me I would torch that off and grind it smooth. Then you can add an aftermarket stop or build one to the height that you need. Here's what we did on my 77.

[Puglia10]

Thanks n2trux, that looks good. Do you have any more pictures? And how would you know how tall and wide to make it? And what about the steering stop part? Not needed?