Lower A-Arn Stiffness Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

wHATANERD · 12-18-2009, 11:04 AM

Hello everyone, and let me start off by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. I've just complete installing a complete front end rebuild on my 69 C/10 using the kit from Early Classic (Moog). I ordered the 71-72 kit since the cradle has been swapped with a 72 to ad disc brake. Everything seems fine except the amount of effort it take to move the Lower A-Arm. When the new lower shaft assemblies were installed I made sure they were centered, and torqued the Control Bushing Nuts to 90 ft/lbs ( instructions say 85 - 100 ). Now that the A-Arms are installed they extremely stiff, (requireing both hand to move them up and down). I have never done this kind of work before, so I've got a few questions. First of all, Is this normal, and just require time to break in?, Second, If not normal, what am I doing wrong? And Finally has anyone else ran in to the problem, and what did it take to correct? Thank You, Jason

wHATANERD · 12-18-2009, 11:08 AM

Here is a picture of how the front end turned out. The Stiffness I'm talking about is before the spings and spindel were installed, and is happening on both the left and right Lower A-Arms.

cdowns · 12-18-2009, 11:54 AM

did you grease them?

wHATANERD · 12-18-2009, 11:59 AM

Yes, Grease fitting are in, and filled.

**yote1234** · 12-18-2009, 12:32 PM

ahhhh! nice and tight! sounds good to me..

dfwright · 12-18-2009, 12:53 PM

Nice work, by the way. looks great!

wHATANERD · 12-18-2009, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dfwright

Nice work, by the way. looks great!

Thank You

Jayss109 · 12-18-2009, 03:37 PM

Its normal to be difficult to move by hand. Got a whole lot of weight to move them up and down when everything is back where it belongs! =)

Nice job! Always feels good to do a project like the front end. Then you KNOW everything is good and new.

wHATANERD · 12-19-2009, 08:00 AM

Thanks for the info, If everything goes OK this next week, I'll be able to get the new engine and trans set into the frame. Then I should be able to see how the A-Arms move with the added weight.

**Tom Vogel** · 12-19-2009, 10:32 AM

Mine were the same way. They seem to function well now that they are on the truck. I like the way the StrongArms are designed better though.(Air Ride Technologies) I think poly bushings are better than GMs screwy idea with the rod/screw thing.

12-18-2009, 11:04 AM	#1
wHATANERD Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Uvalde, Tx Posts: 407	Lower A-Arn Stiffness Question Hello everyone, and let me start off by wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. I've just complete installing a complete front end rebuild on my 69 C/10 using the kit from Early Classic (Moog). I ordered the 71-72 kit since the cradle has been swapped with a 72 to ad disc brake. Everything seems fine except the amount of effort it take to move the Lower A-Arm. When the new lower shaft assemblies were installed I made sure they were centered, and torqued the Control Bushing Nuts to 90 ft/lbs ( instructions say 85 - 100 ). Now that the A-Arms are installed they extremely stiff, (requireing both hand to move them up and down). I have never done this kind of work before, so I've got a few questions. First of all, Is this normal, and just require time to break in?, Second, If not normal, what am I doing wrong? And Finally has anyone else ran in to the problem, and what did it take to correct? Thank You, Jason __________________ 1969 C/10 Longbed undergoing rebuild. Old Chevy's Never Die, They Just Rust Around The Edges

12-18-2009, 11:08 AM	#2
wHATANERD Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Uvalde, Tx Posts: 407	Re: Lower A-Arn Stiffness Question Here is a picture of how the front end turned out. The Stiffness I'm talking about is before the spings and spindel were installed, and is happening on both the left and right Lower A-Arms. Attached Images __________________ 1969 C/10 Longbed undergoing rebuild. Old Chevy's Never Die, They Just Rust Around The Edges

12-18-2009, 11:54 AM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Lower A-Arn Stiffness Question did you grease them? __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

12-18-2009, 11:59 AM	#4
wHATANERD Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Uvalde, Tx Posts: 407	Re: Lower A-Arn Stiffness Question Yes, Grease fitting are in, and filled. __________________ 1969 C/10 Longbed undergoing rebuild. Old Chevy's Never Die, They Just Rust Around The Edges

12-18-2009, 12:32 PM	#5
yote1234 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Gold Canyon Arizona Posts: 4,406	Re: Lower A-Arn Stiffness Question ahhhh! nice and tight! sounds good to me.. __________________ 1971 K5 CST Blazer 1965 Chevelle Malibu 283 (sadly sold) 1968 Camaro 327 1968 Honda mini-trail z50a #377 1966 uh 1-D Huey

12-18-2009, 12:53 PM	#6
dfwright Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 1,374	Re: Lower A-Arn Stiffness Question Nice work, by the way. looks great! __________________ 1972 C10 LWB, 350/350 Deconstruction began 5/2009, mostly completed restoration, 5/2017

12-18-2009, 03:37 PM	#8
Jayss109 Active Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 235	Re: Lower A-Arn Stiffness Question Its normal to be difficult to move by hand. Got a whole lot of weight to move them up and down when everything is back where it belongs! =) Nice job! Always feels good to do a project like the front end. Then you KNOW everything is good and new. __________________ Cadillac Powered

12-19-2009, 08:00 AM	#9
wHATANERD Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Uvalde, Tx Posts: 407	Re: Lower A-Arn Stiffness Question Thanks for the info, If everything goes OK this next week, I'll be able to get the new engine and trans set into the frame. Then I should be able to see how the A-Arms move with the added weight. __________________ 1969 C/10 Longbed undergoing rebuild. Old Chevy's Never Die, They Just Rust Around The Edges

12-19-2009, 10:32 AM	#10
Tom Vogel 2WD Jimmy Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Davis County, Utah Posts: 2,565	Re: Lower A-Arn Stiffness Question Mine were the same way. They seem to function well now that they are on the truck. I like the way the StrongArms are designed better though.(Air Ride Technologies) I think poly bushings are better than GMs screwy idea with the rod/screw thing.

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