The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1960 - 1966 Chevrolet & GMC Pickups Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-13-2014, 03:04 PM   #1
65TRUK
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Midland, MI
Posts: 46
When to change control arm axles?

Hey guys, I'm completely rebuilding the front suspension on a 64 short bed frame (currently a bare frame). Though I have read a lot of articles regarding suspension builds, I have not read any technical comments regarding 'how to know when you should replace the control arm axles'. Note: before I removed the upper control arms I noticed just a little lateral movement of the control arms (probably 1/16 but not more than 1/8 inch) on both sides. Is this movement merely the axle shaft thread play between the axle cap inner treads and the axle shaft threads (which is the true control arm vertical pivot point/s)? I presume this thread play represents two components: 1) initial OEM thread play and 2) normal thread wear over a 50 year period?

I don't want to finish the rebuild and NOT change the control arm axles if I really should do so.

FYI, I'm rebuilding a 65 stepside on a separate 64 frame.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts, experience, tips, advice, technical data, etc.
65TRUK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2014, 03:34 PM   #2
sickboy_1456
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Ventura, CA
Posts: 173
Re: When to change control arm axles?

I think what your referring to is the control arm cross shafts/bushings. Most of us have had to replace them at one point or another. Not a super difficult task, but definitely worth doing since your replacing everything else.
sickboy_1456 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-13-2014, 04:41 PM   #3
Sharps40
Account Suspended
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: here
Posts: 2,408
Re: When to change control arm axles?

Those rods and bushings are somewhere between 25 to 50 years old. They are under $20 a set uppers and lowers from parts geek.

Replace them as part of your suspension rebuild.
Sharps40 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2014, 12:21 AM   #4
65TRUK
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Midland, MI
Posts: 46
Re: When to change control arm axles?

Thanks for your imput guys. I appreciate it. The 'Parts Geek' recommendation was very helpful (awesome prices)!

I will say again that my question remains. How does one know when you should replace the control arm shafts? I fully understand that the bushings should be replaced, but it appears to me that the bushings are not weight bearing in anyway. They merely hold the grease in the threaded area which is the true pivot point for the control arm. Though I have now decided (with your encouragement) to replace both upper and lower control arm shafts, I am still looking for an answer to this question (I'm anal about knowing the detail).

Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts and recommendations.
65TRUK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2014, 12:59 AM   #5
jtrichard
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: joshua tree ca.
Posts: 1,484
Re: When to change control arm axles?

that play you have is wear ... when new they are tight.. if they get "to much wear" you can no longer adjust them... they also come in sets you dont just buy the bushings
jtrichard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2014, 06:49 AM   #6
Sharps40
Account Suspended
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: here
Posts: 2,408
Re: When to change control arm axles?

Well, they are weight bearing. The control arm shaft is bolted to the frame and the weight transefers thru the bushings to the control arms to ground....cantelevers.

But, changein em will eliminate slop in your front end. The parts geek ones I just put on my 65 are running fine. I used Advance Auto ones on the 64 and I liked the quality and the price of the parts geek stuff better!
Sharps40 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2014, 07:50 AM   #7
tincan1966
Registered User
 
tincan1966's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Independence,KS
Posts: 1,477
Re: When to change control arm axles?

If you think about it, that 1/16" movement at the bushing, translates to about 1/8" or more movement at the ball joint end of the control arm, which in turn ends up about 1/4" at the wheel, and that is a lot of movement!

Also, depending on how original you want to be, an option is to convert over to the '73-87 style with rubber bushings that give a little less harsh ride and less "road feel". This does require changing out the control arms to the '73-87 style.
Just an option.
tincan1966 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2014, 03:15 PM   #8
65TRUK
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Midland, MI
Posts: 46
Re: When to change control arm axles?

Success guys. Together, enough information has been provided to satisfy my curiosity. Much of it merely confirmed what I believed to be logical, but I was interested in what other mech-heads had to say.

So, the shafts and bushings (as a kit) will be replaced (along with the rest of the up front suspension and steering components). Parts Geek looks like the hot tip for everything I'm needing (at a VERY reasonable price). Will probably opt for Moog brand.

I also plan to reuse the original control arms as they are in good shape and already blasted and painted.

I thank you all for taking the time to respond.
65TRUK is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-14-2014, 03:59 PM   #9
Sharps40
Account Suspended
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: here
Posts: 2,408
Re: When to change control arm axles?

If the lower ball joints are loose in the lower control arms ya can tac weld em and get one more good run outta the original LCAs.
Sharps40 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
control arm axles, control arms, suspension 1964


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:49 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com