A-Frame - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Metallicamaro · 04-10-2006, 09:43 PM

I have a 1981 chevy 1/2 ton short box, L6 250 4spd manual...

The A-frame is Gone! there is a huge crack on both sides and i have some inside tire wear! and i have a 1984 Gmc Pickup half ton, long bed, A-frame is Alot better! and i am wondering is it a real PITFA to swap A-frames?
Thanks, Nick

82c10 · 04-10-2006, 10:34 PM

what do you mean by a-frames?

wlarue72 · 04-10-2006, 10:41 PM

A frames would be control arms would it not? Not really that hard to do the swap........David

82c10 · 04-10-2006, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlarue72

A frames would be control arms would it not? Not really that hard to do the swap........David

that's what i thought he meant, but he still hasn' verified that

Prerunner1982 · 04-11-2006, 03:01 PM

not that hard, but while you have everything torn apart might as well replace all bushings and ball joints, tie rods, pitman arm, and idler arm.. just for good measure..

Metallicamaro · 04-11-2006, 05:32 PM

Yea, control arms, and okay, i got some bushings.. and i need a ball joint.. and i dont have a torch.. still do-able?

Prerunner1982 · 04-13-2006, 09:12 AM

i took the control arms to a shop and had them change those bushings..$100 for all 4.. the rest i didnt need a torch for..

rockman20 · 04-13-2006, 10:46 AM

I pressed my own bushings in my Cutlass A-arms. But I have access to a press.

Probably could of gotten it done though using a large vise. A good trick is to put the bushings in the freezer over night. The bushing will shrink a bit and allow just a little easier installment.

It's not all that tough, just time consuming if it is your first time.

piecesparts · 04-13-2006, 03:46 PM

The real pain to this project, is whether or not you will need new parts (balljoints, steering knuckles, sway bar end pieces, etc) These have a tendency towear out or rust tight. As for changing the A-Frame--it is easy unless the front spring kicks your butt. You can use a floor jack and a block to loosen and reset the spring into the pockets. Just get everything loose but keep the nuts on the spindles---then tap the spindles with a hammer and the spring will force the balljoints out from their swedged seats. Then set the lower A-frame onto the block and take the nuts loose and raise the truck slowly allowing the lower A-frame to stay on the block and seperate the front suspension.

Prerunner1982 · 04-13-2006, 10:13 PM

i did something similar except i supported the truck and used the jack to lower the lower control arm SLOWLY... until the spring was free.. just be careful as the spring can pack a big punch..

boxrodz · 04-14-2006, 01:49 AM

Here's more information regarding the ball joints and CA bushings replacement: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=189574.

chevyfan420 · 04-14-2006, 10:21 AM

***ALWAYS**** loop a chain through the upper half of the spring and down through the lower arm. If the spring got away from you it could seriously injure you or someone else nearby

04-10-2006, 09:43 PM	#1
Metallicamaro Boil'n rice Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 77	A-Frame I have a 1981 chevy 1/2 ton short box, L6 250 4spd manual... The A-frame is Gone! there is a huge crack on both sides and i have some inside tire wear! and i have a 1984 Gmc Pickup half ton, long bed, A-frame is Alot better! and i am wondering is it a real PITFA to swap A-frames? Thanks, Nick

04-10-2006, 10:34 PM	#2
82c10 needin' money Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chickasha, Oklahoma Posts: 1,106	Re: A-Frame what do you mean by a-frames? __________________ *SWB Stands for Short Wide Bed*

04-10-2006, 10:41 PM	#3
wlarue72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 244	Re: A-Frame A frames would be control arms would it not? Not really that hard to do the swap........David __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super 402 daily driver. A lifetime project!

04-11-2006, 03:01 PM	#5
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	Re: A-Frame not that hard, but while you have everything torn apart might as well replace all bushings and ball joints, tie rods, pitman arm, and idler arm.. just for good measure.. __________________ Jon 1982 Chevy Silverado 350/th350.... RETIRED 1993 Jeep XJ 2 door(Cherokee) 4wd 4.0ltr/AX-15 (5spd)/NP231 .... Oklahoma Roll Call

04-11-2006, 05:32 PM	#6
Metallicamaro Boil'n rice Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 77	Re: A-Frame Yea, control arms, and okay, i got some bushings.. and i need a ball joint.. and i dont have a torch.. still do-able?

04-13-2006, 09:12 AM	#7
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	Re: A-Frame i took the control arms to a shop and had them change those bushings..$100 for all 4.. the rest i didnt need a torch for..

04-13-2006, 10:46 AM	#8
rockman20 "The dude abides" Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: North Dakota Posts: 472	Re: A-Frame I pressed my own bushings in my Cutlass A-arms. But I have access to a press. Probably could of gotten it done though using a large vise. A good trick is to put the bushings in the freezer over night. The bushing will shrink a bit and allow just a little easier installment. It's not all that tough, just time consuming if it is your first time. __________________ RockMan 1993 Chevy Silverado C3500 1 ton dually 1994 Honda Civic 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass S 1953 IH Farmall Super M New to the fleet: 1992 Subaru Loyal

04-13-2006, 03:46 PM	#9
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: A-Frame The real pain to this project, is whether or not you will need new parts (balljoints, steering knuckles, sway bar end pieces, etc) These have a tendency towear out or rust tight. As for changing the A-Frame--it is easy unless the front spring kicks your butt. You can use a floor jack and a block to loosen and reset the spring into the pockets. Just get everything loose but keep the nuts on the spindles---then tap the spindles with a hammer and the spring will force the balljoints out from their swedged seats. Then set the lower A-frame onto the block and take the nuts loose and raise the truck slowly allowing the lower A-frame to stay on the block and seperate the front suspension.

04-13-2006, 10:13 PM	#10
Prerunner1982 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,904	Re: A-Frame i did something similar except i supported the truck and used the jack to lower the lower control arm SLOWLY... until the spring was free.. just be careful as the spring can pack a big punch..

04-14-2006, 10:21 AM	#12
chevyfan420 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Ancaster, Ontario, Canada eh Posts: 95	Re: A-Frame *ALWAYS loop a chain through the upper half of the spring and down through the lower arm. If the spring got away from you it could seriously injure you or someone else nearby __________________ 80 Chevy K10 350/350turbo 86 Chevy 1/2 ton shorty project truck 79 Chevy 1/2ton 350/350turbo not much to look at... Retired** 97 Chevy C1500 4.3/5 speed.....daily driver



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