Replacing front control arm bushings

[northerngmc]

Are front control arm bushings available?

Are they hard to change? Do you need to pull the front coil springs out to change them?

Truck is a 1969 GMC 1/2 ton......

[unclewatts]

I'm a little confused. Control arms are in the rear. If you mean upper and lower A-arms
yes LMC Truck and many other suppliers carry them. No they are not real hard to change out if you have the proper tools. No you do not have to remove the front springs to change them out if you remove the tension by clamping the spring. It would be wise to replace the upper and lower ball joints while you're in there.

[k.t.]

I replaced mine with a some basic hand tools. I did it in an afternoon, not to hard. Bought a kit from lmc, it did front and back, bushings and springs.

[71tahoe]

They're all control arms.

The uppers would be no problem on the truck leaving the springs alone but, unless you like working in a confined space, pull the arms.

[leddzepp]

Use a pipe wrench and a breaker bar on the control arm shaft bushings. I just did this on my project. Some of them are VERY hard to get out of there. PB blaster and a torch really help. You can see pics in my build thread listed in my sig.

[northerngmc]

Thanks to all for the responses, I have had time to digest and now I have more questions.

Yes I am refering to the bushings on the upper control (A-arms).


So would I have to just clamp the coil spring (any suggestions on the proper way to do this would help) and attempt to remove the shaft ends to get the bushings out?

I am wondering if I have to pop a ball joint open to do this.



Is there a bushing on each end?





Sorry for so many questions but the truck is not sitting in my garage right now and I hope that once I have a good look at it, it will make more sense.

[northerngmc]

ttt still looking for answers.....

[mclairmo]

You could just leave a jack under the lower control arm to keep the spring in place. For added security you shoud chain the coil to the frame so it won't launch itself should the jack slide out. Or, Harbor Freight sells an inside spring compressor for not much money that will work to compress the spring and keep it from popping out. Parts stores might rent them out, too. Just be sure to not get the outside type. I would think it would be easier to replace the bushing with the arm off the truck, but you amy want to loosen the upper bushings with the arm on the truck. There are two bushings per arm.

[northerngmc]

Originally Posted by mclairmo

You could just leave a jack under the lower control arm to keep the spring in place. For added security you shoud chain the coil to the frame so it won't launch itself should the jack slide out. Or, Harbor Freight sells an inside spring compressor for not much money that will work to compress the spring and keep it from popping out. Parts stores might rent them out, too. Just be sure to not get the outside type. I would think it would be easier to replace the bushing with the arm off the truck, but you amy want to loosen the upper bushings with the arm on the truck. There are two bushings per arm.

So when you say to leave a jack under the lower control are you meaning to pop the ball joint open to get the spring out?

[Hottrucks]

do your self a favor drop the front springs...think of it this way its a nice time to put the lowered springs you wanted or to cut your stockers

Now go to Advanced auto throw them a $20 bill for each upper and lower take them off the truck replace the bars I would drop a couple ball joints in for the extra $20 each then clean and neverseiz the upper bolts for the upper control arm....paimt everthing nice and pretty and be DONE with it....once you have it all back together check your tie rod ends/links and if the are all good and tight take it to a good alignment shop


you won't regret spending the extra $$ for bal joints and your truck will drive good as new for the next.......years

[northerngmc]

Originally Posted by Hottrucks

do your self a favor drop the front springs...think of it this way its a nice time to put the lowered springs you wanted or to cut your stockers

Now go to Advanced auto throw them a $20 bill for each upper and lower take them off the truck replace the bars I would drop a couple ball joints in for the extra $20 each then clean and neverseiz the upper bolts for the upper control arm....paimt everthing nice and pretty and be DONE with it....once you have it all back together check your tie rod ends/links and if the are all good and tight take it to a good alignment shop


you won't regret spending the extra $$ for bal joints and your truck will drive good as new for the next.......years

It's not that easy here. I live in a small isolated community. Once I went to the FLAPS and asked for header bolts for a small block chevy and they said they need my VIN for that.

They were unable to find or get the control arm bushings either.

I think the PO rebuilt most of the front end because everything seems tight. Just didn't do the bushings.

[Hottrucks]

well where ever you get them the job is the same but I would still pull apart the arms it's safer and easier to remove the spring

[leddzepp]

I wouldn't worry so much about the control arm bushings. The ball joints are a much more high wear item. As suggested by hottrucks, I would remove the spring and disassemble everything, clean and paint. With the spring removed, you can move the control arms around freely by hand and feel for any wear/slop/play. My bet is that you won't find any. The lower ball joint needs to be pressed out, and it is MUCH easier to do on the bench than on the truck.

[chevy_mike]

Definitely check for play in the bushing once the front end is pulled apart and not under spring load.

I had hoped mine would be okay as it seemed tight. Once I had everything apart, it was very clear they had too much play to be used. Replaced them and everything else in the front end.

Good luck.

[northerngmc]

The truck went through an inspection for the insurance company and the mechanic flagged it for front brake hoses and worn upper control arm bushings.

Brake hoses we can deal with and hopefully those will arrive today.

Not sure why they flagged it for the bushings as the same place passed the truck 2 years ago and 1000 miles earlier.

[crispo-71]

i replaced the whole bushing kit on my truck and on the loer rod it has a round slot on one side.. my question is dose that round slot face up or towards the a arm???

[wilbilt]

Originally Posted by crispo-71

i replaced the whole bushing kit on my truck and on the loer rod it has a round slot on one side.. my question is dose that round slot face up or towards the a arm???

The lower shaft has a hole that engages a pin in one of the brackets on the crossmember. It has been several years since I have had one out, but it is the front bracket as I recall.