Control arm shaft adjustment? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevybill · 01-05-2005, 08:07 PM

Hey guys, I am getting ready to reassemble my front suspension and I have a question. I have the a arms with new shafts preassembled, but the shafts are loose and the large nuts are not tightened down yet.

What is the proper way to get these back tight? Do the shafts neeed to be centered in the a arm pieces? if so how do you do that?

How do I make sure the top ball joint and the lower ball joint are in line for the spindle?

I hope you understand what I am asking, if not i will try to clarify.
i am working on a c 10 half ton twd with manual steering.

Thanks
chevybill

chevybill · 01-07-2005, 09:38 AM

no help from anybody?

TEXAS 68 · 01-07-2005, 02:29 PM

I'm doing this now on my 68 and you need to have weight on the front end before you tighten the a-arm nuts. What I did was assemble upper and lower control arms and snug all bolts,when you set coil springs i used a floor jack under lower arm and set spindle on lower ball joint then set the top. You may need to use a coil spring commpressor. I'm sure there are other ways but this worked for me since I didn't have any help. Good Luck

Blue68 · 01-07-2005, 08:31 PM

Do you have the original steel bushing shafts? I can't remember on the steel bushings, but I know on the later rubber bushings,there is a sleeve inside each bushing. You tighten the nut/washer down as far as it will go and the shaft is on good. The lower arm shaft has a locating pin to keep it from spinning where the upper arm shaft mounds on the two bolts. Steel bushing shafts locat the same, but I can't remember what stops the bushing's themselves as you tighten them down.

01-05-2005, 08:07 PM	#1
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	Control arm shaft adjustment? Hey guys, I am getting ready to reassemble my front suspension and I have a question. I have the a arms with new shafts preassembled, but the shafts are loose and the large nuts are not tightened down yet. What is the proper way to get these back tight? Do the shafts neeed to be centered in the a arm pieces? if so how do you do that? How do I make sure the top ball joint and the lower ball joint are in line for the spindle? I hope you understand what I am asking, if not i will try to clarify. i am working on a c 10 half ton twd with manual steering. Thanks chevybill __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

01-07-2005, 09:38 AM	#2
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	no help from anybody? __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

01-07-2005, 02:29 PM	#3
TEXAS 68 Vortec in the works Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Spring,Texas Posts: 735	I'm doing this now on my 68 and you need to have weight on the front end before you tighten the a-arm nuts. What I did was assemble upper and lower control arms and snug all bolts,when you set coil springs i used a floor jack under lower arm and set spindle on lower ball joint then set the top. You may need to use a coil spring commpressor. I'm sure there are other ways but this worked for me since I didn't have any help. Good Luck Attached Images __________________ 68? It's all figured out untill you get it apart. Is it Sunday yet??? 68 Project 68 SWB frame off/98 Vortec with stock FI/power everything. 95 ECLB 2500 with 346,000 on the clock(the original HD) 99 Lesabre-wifes ride 08 Crew Cab LTZ-All Mine 89 SWB 5/7 drop-Son's first ride.

01-07-2005, 08:31 PM	#4
Blue68 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Frisco, Tx, USA Posts: 606	Do you have the original steel bushing shafts? I can't remember on the steel bushings, but I know on the later rubber bushings,there is a sleeve inside each bushing. You tighten the nut/washer down as far as it will go and the shaft is on good. The lower arm shaft has a locating pin to keep it from spinning where the upper arm shaft mounds on the two bolts. Steel bushing shafts locat the same, but I can't remember what stops the bushing's themselves as you tighten them down. __________________ http://home.comcast.net/~r.landrum/w...tos.html-.html '68 C-10 LWB, '98 Z-71 350 w/accessories (Serpentine), Edelbrock Performer, Edelbrock 1405 (600cfm) carb, GM HEI, CompCam Extreme 4x4 roller cam, Thorley Headers, Carter Electric Fuel Pump, Vintage Air, 700r4, 3.73, disc brakes and power steering upgrades.



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