Control arm bushings - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Reyals Bemus · 02-01-2013, 03:39 PM

I need to rebuild my front control arms. What do you guys think- keep the existing steel bushings or go with the later model '73-87 rubber bushings? Which are better?

Hx16457 · 02-01-2013, 03:57 PM

I changed my front end to 76' and then rebuilt everything.
FYI;
the control arm bushings are tuff to get out....
I did not have a press, so I torched the rubber then push them out! kind of messy but it worked!

**Captainfab** · 02-02-2013, 12:49 AM

I prefer the '73-'87 rubber bushings. The steel bushings need to be greased, otherwise they start to squeek.

Tx Firefighter · 02-02-2013, 07:56 AM

When I built my 63 I ran the costs to rebuild my original arms versus the 73-87 arms. The later arms are much cheaper to do. I used later arms with an Energy Suspension urethane bushing kit from Summit for like 70 dollars versus having to buy the steel bushing kits which were something like 3 times that amount for the original arms.

Reyals Bemus · 02-02-2013, 11:31 AM

Cool guys. I decided to go with the later arms and bushings. Buy once, cry once.

I wonder if there's any noticeable difference in ride quality between the two bushing types? Probably minimal eh?

gabe2000 · 02-02-2013, 02:31 PM

I also changed to rubber bushing. Go to Youtube and sreach for "contrl arm bushing replacing" , this guy cut the inner tube with hacksaw and using a long screw and 3inch. pipe, he pushed the bush out. To install, he reverse the pipe and long screw. Bets paying more then $200 at Brake shop.

61_FL_Apache · 02-02-2013, 08:24 PM

I went with original bushings when I rebuilt my front end. It was just easier that way for me.

**pdxhall** · 02-03-2013, 06:27 AM

Not trying to hijack the thread but I replaced my bushings with the original style steel ones and now I can't get them to take any grease. I've tried several different approaches. Anybody have similar problems and if so what solution did you come up with?

02-01-2013, 03:39 PM	#1
Reyals Bemus Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Billerica, MA Posts: 329	Control arm bushings I need to rebuild my front control arms. What do you guys think- keep the existing steel bushings or go with the later model '73-87 rubber bushings? Which are better?

02-01-2013, 03:57 PM	#2
Hx16457 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lawton Oklahoma Posts: 308	Re: Control arm bushings I changed my front end to 76' and then rebuilt everything. FYI; the control arm bushings are tuff to get out.... I did not have a press, so I torched the rubber then push them out! kind of messy but it worked! __________________ People who make excuses didn't want to do it in the first place! http://s1326.photobucket.com/albums/...cpZZ1QQtppZZ16

02-02-2013, 12:49 AM	#3
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,246	Re: Control arm bushings I prefer the '73-'87 rubber bushings. The steel bushings need to be greased, otherwise they start to squeek. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

02-02-2013, 07:56 AM	#4
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Control arm bushings When I built my 63 I ran the costs to rebuild my original arms versus the 73-87 arms. The later arms are much cheaper to do. I used later arms with an Energy Suspension urethane bushing kit from Summit for like 70 dollars versus having to buy the steel bushing kits which were something like 3 times that amount for the original arms.

02-02-2013, 11:31 AM	#5
Reyals Bemus Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Billerica, MA Posts: 329	Re: Control arm bushings Cool guys. I decided to go with the later arms and bushings. Buy once, cry once. I wonder if there's any noticeable difference in ride quality between the two bushing types? Probably minimal eh?

02-02-2013, 02:31 PM	#6
gabe2000 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: austin,tx Posts: 165	Re: Control arm bushings I also changed to rubber bushing. Go to Youtube and sreach for "contrl arm bushing replacing" , this guy cut the inner tube with hacksaw and using a long screw and 3inch. pipe, he pushed the bush out. To install, he reverse the pipe and long screw. Bets paying more then $200 at Brake shop.

02-02-2013, 08:24 PM	#7
61_FL_Apache Who Me? Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL Posts: 4,067	Re: Control arm bushings I went with original bushings when I rebuilt my front end. It was just easier that way for me. __________________ Steve 1997 Tahoe LT 4D 2WD (DD) 2001 Blazer 4D 2WD 1961 Apache 10 (sold) 1965 C10 Stepper (sold)

02-03-2013, 06:27 AM	#8
pdxhall Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 2,069	Re: Control arm bushings Not trying to hijack the thread but I replaced my bushings with the original style steel ones and now I can't get them to take any grease. I've tried several different approaches. Anybody have similar problems and if so what solution did you come up with?



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