Help!...new bumpers for lower control arms... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**COBALT** · 10-05-2002, 10:13 PM

I got the wedge-shaped bumbers for the lower control arms, but I CAN'T GET THEM IN! I farted around with one for about 15 minutes and almost destroyed it, and stopped before I lost it. I used some rubber-friendly grease, but that did nothing to help. I thought about freezing it, but I think that would make it more difficult.

Any suggestions? I don't want to put the lower control arms on the truck until I get these damn things in. It's holding me up from getting the front end finished! The place they're supposed to go (in that funky tower on the lower control arms) is a tight squeeze...

*Shane* · 10-05-2002, 10:18 PM

The way I got mine in is by starting one side and then taking a flat-blade screw driver (old one with the "point" ground down so as to not have a sharp edge) and use it to gradually push it in.

Don't freeze it.....if anything, drop it in a pot of boiling, or near boiling water, for 5 minutes or so. The heat will make it more pliable and easier to work with.

Hope this helps.....

**COBALT** · 10-05-2002, 10:57 PM

It does, thanks. I just don't have patience for things like this. I got all this work done (upper control arms together and on the truck, pitman, idler, and drag link in and torqued, sway bar brackets in...), and to get stopped by something this stupid...man. I guess it was time to put the breaks on work anyway. I was getting too tired.

I'll try boiling them tomorrow, and see if I can find a screw driver that doesn't double for an ice pick.

70 Jimmy · 10-06-2002, 12:35 PM

Microwave works too. Just keep an eye on it.

**COBALT** · 10-06-2002, 03:34 PM

Boiling them did the trick. They're in!

Thanks Shane for the tip.

*Shane* · 10-06-2002, 04:36 PM

Glad I could help.......

10-05-2002, 10:13 PM	#1
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Help!...new bumpers for lower control arms... I got the wedge-shaped bumbers for the lower control arms, but I CAN'T GET THEM IN! I farted around with one for about 15 minutes and almost destroyed it, and stopped before I lost it. I used some rubber-friendly grease, but that did nothing to help. I thought about freezing it, but I think that would make it more difficult. Any suggestions? I don't want to put the lower control arms on the truck until I get these damn things in. It's holding me up from getting the front end finished! The place they're supposed to go (in that funky tower on the lower control arms) is a tight squeeze... __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

10-05-2002, 10:57 PM	#3
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	It does, thanks. I just don't have patience for things like this. I got all this work done (upper control arms together and on the truck, pitman, idler, and drag link in and torqued, sway bar brackets in...), and to get stopped by something this stupid...man. I guess it was time to put the breaks on work anyway. I was getting too tired. I'll try boiling them tomorrow, and see if I can find a screw driver that doesn't double for an ice pick. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

10-06-2002, 12:35 PM	#4
70 Jimmy aka Crusher, Crushergmc Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,834	Microwave works too. Just keep an eye on it. __________________ "KEEP IT DOWN!" 70 Jimmy 454 2wd 56 GMC Big Window "It's funny till someone gets hurt, then it's freakin' hilarious"

10-06-2002, 03:34 PM	#5
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Boiling them did the trick. They're in! Thanks Shane for the tip. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

10-05-2002, 10:18 PM	#2
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	The way I got mine in is by starting one side and then taking a flat-blade screw driver (old one with the "point" ground down so as to not have a sharp edge) and use it to gradually push it in. Don't freeze it.....if anything, drop it in a pot of boiling, or near boiling water, for 5 minutes or so. The heat will make it more pliable and easier to work with. Hope this helps.....

10-06-2002, 04:36 PM	#6
Shane Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: over yonder Posts: 14,270	Glad I could help.......



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