Lower A-frame bumper install - help please

[Green Machine]

Trying to install new rubber bumbers on the lower a-frames of my 68 c10 without much luck. Tryed lubing them with soap and pushing hard but no luck.
Firs picture is where they go and second picture, the one on the left is the new one and the one on the right is the old one. They are different in prong width as well as slot depth. Tryed to pu the old ones back in, but they would not go back in either. Do I need a different set of bumpers or a better installation technique ?? Thanks.

[jamesi20]

I had a heck of a time getting mine in,but after i lubed them up real good with murphy's oil soap I got it done.My new ones were exactly like your new ones.I got one side in as far as I could then persuaded the other side with a good sized screwdriver. good luck

[Green Machine]

Thanks, I don't know if you can see from the pics, but the metal tabs on the a-arm are pointed down inside. Is that normal ?

[jku72]

Try using a silicon based lubricant. Its a lot "slipperier" than soap and whatnot, and wont harm the rubber. And try swearing.

[cowboy33713]

Green Machine-
I'm getting ready to rebuild the front on my '67; did you have a machine shop get the old shafts off of your A arms, or did you do it yourself? If you did , what did you use?
Mine are pretty darn solid, and looks like you need 3/4 inch drive tools at least!
Thanks for any input.
cowboy33713

[bigcdawg99]

Originally Posted by cowboy33713

Green Machine-
I'm getting ready to rebuild the front on my '67; did you have a machine shop get the old shafts off of your A arms, or did you do it yourself? If you did , what did you use?
Mine are pretty darn solid, and looks like you need 3/4 inch drive tools at least!
Thanks for any input.
cowboy33713

I took mine to a garage and had them knock loose the bolts at the ends. I also had them knock out the upper and lower ball joints. I didn't have the tools needed. Took them less than a half hour and they charged me like 30 bucks. You will need some pretty big tools to get the new ones on (I can't remember). A lot of swearing is involved if you're installing the lower ball joints yourself, so if you have kids you have kids you might to keep them inside.

[cowboy33713]

bigcdawg99:
Looking at it all, I thought the way to go might be to let someone with impact tools and a big press take a few minutes with them, instead of me buying huge tools to use on one job, and hurting myself at home. Thanks for the input - sounds like an inexpensive way to save myself some aggravation, and that's money well spent.
cowboy33713

[jamesi20]

I bought a ball joint press from harbor freighton sale for 19.95 that thing has been a life saver.I pressed the old ball joints out and pressed the new ones in with very little frustration.I also used it to press the urethane bushings in the rear control arms.

[incoma]

I rented a ball joint press from autozone for free.

For your bumpers, install them long side first if that makes sense. Then use a screw driver to push the other side in. I installed the same ones as your pic, and I had a time with them too. First one took about 2 hours until I figured out how to do it. The second one took all of 1 minute after I learned how.

[Green Machine]

Thanks incoma, but I guess I'm slightly stupid, could you tell which is the long side?

To cowboy33713 : My lower shafts are good so didn't mess with them. Going to have a shop replace lower joints, there probably rusted like heck and I don't have the tools. I've beat them out of a car before and don't want to do that again. The uppers, yes did myself. Borrowed 3/4 drive socket set and loosen those big nuts BEFORE taking off truck, put in new parts, run bushing nuts on snug and final tighten nuts on truck.

To jku72: Good thought, I thougt about that too, but I have lots painting left to do and I have hidden my can of silicon far away from my truck ! LOL

[Green Machine]

Thanks incoma, but I guess I'm slightly stupid, could you tell me which is the long side?

To cowboy33713 : My lower shafts are good so didn't mess with them. Going to have a shop replace lower joints, there probably rusted like heck and I don't have the tools. I've beat them out of a car before and don't want to do that again. The uppers, yes did myself. Borrowed 3/4 drive socket set and loosen those big nuts BEFORE taking off truck, put in new parts, run bushing nuts on snug and final tighten nuts on truck.

To jku72: Good thought, I thougt about that too, but I have lots painting left to do and I have hidden my can of silicon far away from my truck ! LOL

[sneakysnake]

Jack your truck up, cut a 2x4 in a V to fit the rubber,then cut the length to fit into the space between the lower arm and spring perch, lube the stop and put into place put the 2x4 on top of it and slowly lower your jack down will press it right in.

[Green Machine]

I like that idea !!!! work smarter not harder right ??