72 Front Suspension Problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Hugger · 09-02-2003, 09:47 AM

I tore down the front end of my 72 this weekend, got everything cleaned and painted, and started putting in the new ball joints, and bushings last night...
The bushing caps on one of the upper arms, and one of the lowers were not threading real easy, so I kind of forced them with a pipe...
I know...what a dumb a@@!!!
My only excuse, is I have never done the bushings before, and I thought without really thinking, that the outside threads on the cups were just knurled, or machined in a way that would make them tight against the A-Arm, when you torqued them on the shaft??????
Anyway, I think I have 1 upper A-ARM that is screwed up.
When I tighten the cups, I can move the shaft right until I give it the last turn to tight.

Then the shaft will not move without a lot of force (18" bar)
The other one I can hold the shaft, and swing the ARM, it is tight, but moves freely.

Have I screwed up that arm, or what?

I also noticed that if I take off one cup, with the other cup tight, the shaft is not centered in the other end, and when you turn it , it moves off center???

Also, How tight should the shafts be when done correctly?

Flame me if you will..but help me if you can...

phantom dually · 09-02-2003, 08:40 PM

some pics would be a great insight here!!

70 Jimmy · 09-03-2003, 08:19 AM

I think your alright. It's OK if the shaft/A arm assembly (SP) is tight. I believe the caps(bushings) center your shaft to the A arm holes. With the A arm and shaft assembled, put the shaft in a vice. Now move the arm back and forth. Does in seem to move around the center of the shaft? Compare this movement to the other A arm assembly? If the answer is yes, you should be OK. Try to get more input from some others though. You might try the Message board. Good Luck.

smokekiki · 09-03-2003, 03:11 PM

Yeah,try the 67-72 message board.Nobody is going to flame you.Show me somebody who hasn't screwed something up!

09-02-2003, 09:47 AM	#1
Hugger Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wichita, KS Posts: 137	72 Front Suspension Problem I tore down the front end of my 72 this weekend, got everything cleaned and painted, and started putting in the new ball joints, and bushings last night... The bushing caps on one of the upper arms, and one of the lowers were not threading real easy, so I kind of forced them with a pipe... I know...what a dumb a@@!!! My only excuse, is I have never done the bushings before, and I thought without really thinking, that the outside threads on the cups were just knurled, or machined in a way that would make them tight against the A-Arm, when you torqued them on the shaft?????? Anyway, I think I have 1 upper A-ARM that is screwed up. When I tighten the cups, I can move the shaft right until I give it the last turn to tight. Then the shaft will not move without a lot of force (18" bar) The other one I can hold the shaft, and swing the ARM, it is tight, but moves freely. Have I screwed up that arm, or what? I also noticed that if I take off one cup, with the other cup tight, the shaft is not centered in the other end, and when you turn it , it moves off center??? Also, How tight should the shafts be when done correctly? Flame me if you will..but help me if you can... __________________ 72 LWB - Hugger Orange 350/350 3.73 Next; 335hp GM Crate

09-02-2003, 08:40 PM	#2
phantom dually Project92 SWB stepside Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Louisville KY Posts: 4,793	some pics would be a great insight here!! __________________ 92 C1500 stepside 496 Stroker Competiton Engineering Ladder bars/QA1 coilovers. Dana 60 rear with 4.10 gear and posi. Bonspeed Palisade 20x12 in rear w/335/30/20 and 20x8.5 front w/245/40/20. 5/8 drop with Belltech springs/DJM spindles/drop shocks. WWS Progress thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=140448

09-03-2003, 08:19 AM	#3
70 Jimmy aka Crusher, Crushergmc Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,834	I think your alright. It's OK if the shaft/A arm assembly (SP) is tight. I believe the caps(bushings) center your shaft to the A arm holes. With the A arm and shaft assembled, put the shaft in a vice. Now move the arm back and forth. Does in seem to move around the center of the shaft? Compare this movement to the other A arm assembly? If the answer is yes, you should be OK. Try to get more input from some others though. You might try the Message board. Good Luck. __________________ "KEEP IT DOWN!" 70 Jimmy 454 2wd 56 GMC Big Window "It's funny till someone gets hurt, then it's freakin' hilarious"

09-03-2003, 03:11 PM	#4
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,474	Yeah,try the 67-72 message board.Nobody is going to flame you.Show me somebody who hasn't screwed something up! __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires



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