Lower A arm shaft (feels rough)

[Choptop32]

so in the process of putting in drop spindles I noticed that one of my lower A arm shafts feels "rough". On spins freely, but yet the other binds a bit. I tried lubing it with a grease gun, still felt stiff, even after working it back and forth for a while after lubing. Before I spend the $ to get new ball joints pressed into this arm....

is there a way to rebuild the shaft?

what is the wear item in there? a bearing? a bushing? just a metal to metal connection? is it tough to rebuild them?

[1999corvette]

You buy new shafts and bushings(the part on the end with the hex heads)

I paid about 180.00(both sides upper and lowers) including tax for them at a Napa that had them in stock, later found out could have got a better deal from Rock Auto, oh well.

I replaced mine, uppers and lowers when I pulled the drum spindles, and noticed the uppers had a slack in them when moved towards the front of the truck and back.

Also, you can rent or buy a tool do press in your lower balljoints, I bought mine on sale at Harbour Freight for 29.99, it was really easy.

The hardest part for me was drilling out the rivets and getting the upper ball joint off!

[1999corvette]

By the way, it was kinda tough rebuilding them, mainly getting the old bushings to break free.

I saw in CPP's catalouge, you can buy new upper and lower a arms(stock type, not tubular) with the new shafts and bushings already installed.

They are almost 500 bucks for all 4 though, the tubular ones are even more $$$

[1999corvette]

The shaft has male threads, the bushings are metal, and have female threads that rotate on the shaft, the bushings also have male threads that tighten into the control arms.

You have the rubber grease seals that fit in between the bushings and shafts.

[Choptop32]

Just found them at LMC Truck for $29.95

will give it a shot. Looks like a little bit of a pain to change... but if it can be done... it will be


here is a question though.... should this "spin" freely, or is a little bit of roughness "O.K"?

it isnt HARD to turn, there is just a little resistance compared to the other side, which can be turned using just my thumb and forefinger.

[Choptop32]

Originally Posted by Choptop32

here is a question though.... should this "spin" freely, or is a little bit of roughness "O.K"?

it isnt HARD to turn, there is just a little resistance compared to the other side, which can be turned using just my thumb and forefinger.

anyone?

[1restorick]

When I rebuild my front lower a-arms, the shafts turned very smooth with no play or roughness. After the new Moog brand shafts were installed, They were stiff to move or turn, but still smooth. Be sure to lube all of the threads both internal and external with a good quality assembly lube before attempting to assemble the new parts. Also be sure to tighten each cap evenly so that the shaft remains centered. Then grease them up through the fittings.

Good luck.

[Choptop32]

So here is the next question... how to get the original off?

It almost looks like the "end caps" are cast into the A arm.

what is the removal procedure?

[1restorick]

The end caps thread on to the shaft and the a-arm. The caps are both internally and externally threaded. I used my impact gun with a large socket to remove them. When you purchase the new shafts, you will quickly see how they go together.

Take care.

[Choptop32]

Originally Posted by 1restorick

The end caps thread on to the shaft and the a-arm. The caps are both internally and externally threaded. I used my impact gun with a large socket to remove them. When you purchase the new shafts, you will quickly see how they go together.

Take care.

I see how it is on the new shaft... but it just doesnt look like the original caps come off.

I'll get it over to the machine shop to have them undone. I dont have a socket big enough for it.