Topic: Lower control arm rebuild
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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Lifetime MemberWe replaced the bushings and upper ball joints in the upper control arms last week. Now the motor is back in and we will freshen up the lower ones with new bushings and ball joints. Any tricks or advice to offer?
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Former Member
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COLUMBUS, MS - USA
Joined: 1/11/2004
Posts: 331
Vette(s): 1972 Coupe; 350 4-speed with GM sidepipes;
Classic White/Saddle
Hi, Owen.
I just finished replacing all my front and rear bushings last month. The "sage wisdom" I gained is:
ONE - use the poly, not the rubber unless NCRS is an issue. That tip also comes from every car builder and racer I know - you know, the kind of guys who blow cars up for a living every weekend!
The poly bushings will outlive us all.
TWO - take that lower arm to a reliable machine shop, at least for the install of the new bushings. I spent a couple hours each on mine just getting the old ones out. My local guy charged me $15 to press the new ones in. Hell, I would've considered it a bargain at twice that!
THREE - External spring compressors WILL NOT work on a Vette. Go to Twilight Zone and borrow an internal spring compressor - $50 deposit, and you get every dime back when you return the tool.
FOUR - A good two-jaw puller is the simplest way to seperate the steering knuckle from the ball joints. The pickle fork just made me mad.
There are a few other tricks with the spring that I'm reluctant to post openly.
You're in for an interestign experience. Kinda like the ancient Chinese curse: "May you live in INTERESTING times."
Call if you get stuck.
Good luck.
John
I just finished replacing all my front and rear bushings last month. The "sage wisdom" I gained is:
ONE - use the poly, not the rubber unless NCRS is an issue. That tip also comes from every car builder and racer I know - you know, the kind of guys who blow cars up for a living every weekend!
The poly bushings will outlive us all.TWO - take that lower arm to a reliable machine shop, at least for the install of the new bushings. I spent a couple hours each on mine just getting the old ones out. My local guy charged me $15 to press the new ones in. Hell, I would've considered it a bargain at twice that!
THREE - External spring compressors WILL NOT work on a Vette. Go to Twilight Zone and borrow an internal spring compressor - $50 deposit, and you get every dime back when you return the tool.
FOUR - A good two-jaw puller is the simplest way to seperate the steering knuckle from the ball joints. The pickle fork just made me mad.
There are a few other tricks with the spring that I'm reluctant to post openly.
You're in for an interestign experience. Kinda like the ancient Chinese curse: "May you live in INTERESTING times."
Call if you get stuck.Good luck.
John
Former Member
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Olney, MD - USA
Joined: 10/1/2003
Posts: 165
Vette(s): 1976 Brown with Buckskin Interior. I bought her on 9/15/03 and just received it on OCT 1st 2003!! It needs interior work, and some things under the hood, but I am so excited! Just waiting for Summer of 2004 to totally show it off.
HEY-
Go to my webpage and look at page 5 you will see my hubby's fine work on that. He just did them a month ago and it was a long, hard process. I stayed with him at the shop for 10 hours on Saturday (I learned alot) and then on Sunday we went back for little things and the alighnment(3 more hours). Just be patience and you will get through it.
GOOD LUCK!!!
Go to my webpage and look at page 5 you will see my hubby's fine work on that. He just did them a month ago and it was a long, hard process. I stayed with him at the shop for 10 hours on Saturday (I learned alot) and then on Sunday we went back for little things and the alighnment(3 more hours). Just be patience and you will get through it.
GOOD LUCK!!!
|IMG|http://www.mustangmods.com/data/10435/vette_bike_bannerb.jpg|/IMG|
1976 L-48, 1999 Suzuki GZ250
Suzanne
Check out my webpage and see all the goodies |URL|http://www.cardomain.com/id/1funvet |/URL|
Woooo Hoooo! Finished!! 
8 and a half hours later, new lower control arm bushings, lower ball joints, link bolts and bushings, and shocks!!! Wow, I am whooped! Beer then nap time!
Thanks for the support!
|UPDATED|4/17/2004 7:30:06 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
8 and a half hours later, new lower control arm bushings, lower ball joints, link bolts and bushings, and shocks!!! Wow, I am whooped! Beer then nap time!
Thanks for the support!
|UPDATED|4/17/2004 7:30:06 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
in Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling
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