lower control arms

[oldtrux]

hi everyone i am putting the front end of my 66 back together and the a arm bushings dont seem to want to bottom out.there is about a 1/4 1nch of threads left.if i tighten them more they are very stiff and stay in the position you leave them in.(mind you i did not grease them yet).anyone familiar with these?thanks for any help...dan.

[raycow]

Just to make sure we are all on the same page, the bushings are supposed to be tight in the arm and free to turn on the shaft. If you have unequal clearance on the front and rear, you may need to center the shaft in the arm. You will need to remove both bushings to do this. Center the shaft in the arm and then screw in both bushings equally.

Ray

[Heater63]

Isn't there a torque value for those bushings?
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[raycow]

Yes, and I have seen it posted either here or on the 67-72 forum, but I don't remember the exact value. Hopefully, someone who has a shop manual will speak up.

Ray

[chevy_mike]

I had saved that info and this is what is saved in my file.

140 ft/lbs for the pivot/bushing

The bushing should end up flush with the arm ridge. There should be no threads showing but at the same time, the cross shaft should be centered and not binding.

[oldtrux]

thanks for the help guys.i went out this morning and tightened the bushings right down,the shafts are centered.the control arms are definatleysome what stiff.when you lift them up they wont freefall..if you will.i guess once you grease them and get some weight on them they will free up...i dont know!thanks dan

[chevy_mike]

Yeah, I found them not to free fall but even rubber bushing on the later ones don't free fall. They should have some stiffness to it but no hard. I had one that was hard to move and I just backed the bushings off just a little and it felt like the other side.

Since these bushings thread onto the cross shaft, you can actually pull the ends in a little and will put a little bind. Backing them off (like less than a 1/16th of an inch) can make a big difference.

[oldtrux]

Originally Posted by chevy_mike

Yeah, I found them not to free fall but even rubber bushing on the later ones don't free fall. They should have some stiffness to it but no hard. I had one that was hard to move and I just backed the bushings off just a little and it felt like the other side.

Since these bushings thread onto the cross shaft, you can actually pull the ends in a little and will put a little bind. Backing them off (like less than a 1/16th of an inch) can make a big difference.

yeh makes sense!thanks chevymike......dan