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Topic: Bushings & Ball Joints

in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


Bushings & Ball Joints

Posted: 6/9/06 7:29pm Message 11 of 29
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20226
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Glen, I agree it can be hard to get to them, but it's still easier, at least for me! If you leave the nuts on, out at the end of the bolt, you can use a long wobble-socket/extension set-up, and whack it from the opposite side of the car.
Anyway, here's a diagram of the control arm bolts
These bolts have a serrated area by the heads, to hold them tight in the chassis/frame. If you do take the bolts out, remember to re-orient them back when you re-install.


Joel Adams
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Bushings & Ball Joints

Posted: 6/9/06 8:36pm Message 12 of 29
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Poquoson, VA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2004
Posts: 1023
Vette(s): 73 Conv, Blue-Green/White Top - 454, M21 - Dark Saddle Leather, Power Windows, A/C, Tilt/Tele, AM/FM St. (orig. and sounds like it too).#2 -- 2007 Coupe,3 LT package, Z51 option, Victory Red, Ebony Int. Clear Top.
 so they are serated like the rear shock mounts or wheel studs ...Thanks again..


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Bushings & Ball Joints

Posted: 6/9/06 8:38pm Message 13 of 29
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Poquoson, VA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2004
Posts: 1023
Vette(s): 73 Conv, Blue-Green/White Top - 454, M21 - Dark Saddle Leather, Power Windows, A/C, Tilt/Tele, AM/FM St. (orig. and sounds like it too).#2 -- 2007 Coupe,3 LT package, Z51 option, Victory Red, Ebony Int. Clear Top.

Joel... is that diagram from the assembly manual... if so.. I need to buy one of those for my 73

Just ordered from Zip's

 

2 cruzn38877.871875


Lifetime Member #86

USN 1966-1970

WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II


Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"



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Bushings & Ball Joints

Posted: 6/9/06 9:20pm Message 14 of 29
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20226
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Yeppers, Ray, its an AIM pic.
I highly recommend everyone with a 'Vette have one. They're invaluable for seeing how this or that part is supposed to go, and for the specs.


Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Bushings & Ball Joints

Posted: 6/10/06 8:56pm Message 15 of 29
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA
Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424
Vette(s): 1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!

Sorry I haven't been on much the last few days.   I jsut completely rebuilt the front end of my 75.  Everything in the suspension and steering except the power steering piston.

If you have any more questions or wish a detailed discription let me know.




Bushings & Ball Joints

Posted: 6/11/06 11:33am Message 16 of 29
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Poquoson, VA - USA
Joined: 11/20/2004
Posts: 1023
Vette(s): 73 Conv, Blue-Green/White Top - 454, M21 - Dark Saddle Leather, Power Windows, A/C, Tilt/Tele, AM/FM St. (orig. and sounds like it too).#2 -- 2007 Coupe,3 LT package, Z51 option, Victory Red, Ebony Int. Clear Top.
On the lower ball joints... If all I'm replacing is the ball joints... do I have to worry about the spring?


Lifetime Member #86

USN 1966-1970

WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II


Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"



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Bushings & Ball Joints

Posted: 6/11/06 12:12pm Message 17 of 29
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sonoma, CA - USA
Joined: 8/9/2002
Posts: 784
Vette(s): 72 LT-1 AC coupe,69 l-36 coupe
No, just raise the car till the wheel is hanging free maybe 6-8" off the ground, place stands under frame, jack up the lower a-arm almost to where it starts to lift the frame off the stands, you do not want to lift the frame off the stands, now put a stand under the lower a-arm and let it down on the stand, I also leave the jack under the lower a-arm for a little more safety, now you can loosen the lower BJ nut, do not remove till you see that it has been loosen from the knockle, remov the nut, the upper arm should be able to come down enough to swing the knockle out and up out of the way, start drilling, those rivits are hard hard, it was hard doing em on the bench, step drill and try not to make the holes bigger than it takes to get the bolts in


Bushings & Ball Joints

Posted: 6/11/06 12:24pm Message 18 of 29
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Gloucester, VA - USA
Joined: 1/29/2005
Posts: 1453
Vette(s): 1979 T-Top, Metallic Green ZZ4 350/355 hp 405 ft/lbs torque Dual Spal Fans 700R4 4 Spd O/D Transmission 2004 Z06 Commemorative Edition

Yeah just did mine...

I took my control arms to Tidewater Corvette and had him press the bushings since I don't have a press. The ball joints weren't hat difficult but I was in a sling and could only observe my B-I-L while he did the work...

 Sorry about being so late...still in Europe...

 BTW, any suggestions how to get the front end down more. It's still riding high IMHO. Can't loosen the end bolts with the Arms installed or am I missing a secret..




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Bushings & Ball Joints

Posted: 6/11/06 12:35pm Message 19 of 29
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sonoma, CA - USA
Joined: 8/9/2002
Posts: 784
Vette(s): 72 LT-1 AC coupe,69 l-36 coupe
BTW, I forgot to mention , leave the shocks in, I forget a lot of things lately.


Bushings & Ball Joints

Posted: 6/11/06 6:24pm Message 20 of 29
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Moses Lake, WA - USA
Joined: 4/16/2005
Posts: 2134
Vette(s): 1976 L48 4-spd, Mahogany Metalic exterior, Buckskin interior 350ci/350hp, 3rd owner, fiberglass spring, 255/50-16's Torq-Thrust II

JimG

I tightened the end bolts on the cross shafts after the vette was on the ground. It takes some work and patients but can be done. I left the shroud loose so I could move it around and used a box end wrench. One thing I have learned, nothing is easy on these vettes.

Thanks Joel on the tip using a socket and extension to drive the studs out.




in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling


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