C1 upper control arm removal. Help!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: El Segundo CA
C1 upper control arm removal. Help!
My '59 is up on jacks and I'm starting the removal of the front suspension. I've read and re-read ST-12 and I'm still not 100% sure of the procedure for removal of the upper control arm cross-shaft. It shows using a special tool, J-2958. Can I use two lock nuts and a box wrench?
I'm wondering if I'll reach a point of no return.
Any suggestions or caveats?
I'm wondering if I'll reach a point of no return.
Any suggestions or caveats?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,158
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From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada NS
Re: C1 upper control arm removal. Help! (MolokaiBill)
I know my Dad (aged 72) in 1995 rebuilt my complete front end including kingpins without the special tool.
Nice 59, have any more pictures of her ? What are those yellow marks on the front fender ?
Nice 59, have any more pictures of her ? What are those yellow marks on the front fender ?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 147
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From: El Segundo CA
Re: C1 upper control arm removal. Help! (kenmo)
Thanks. I'll dig up some new pics to post soon.
The front yellow reflector (and red in the rear) are side marker lights that the previous owner added. They'll be going away when I repaint it.
The front yellow reflector (and red in the rear) are side marker lights that the previous owner added. They'll be going away when I repaint it.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 573
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From: Gold Coast Queensland Australia
Re: C1 upper control arm removal. Help! (MolokaiBill)
MolokaiBill,
Those upper shafts gave me quite a bit of trouble and I'll dig out my notes, but I used a pipe wrench to remove the shafts but getting the new ones in was quite an ordeal but I've spoken to quite a few guys and they have had no trouble.
If no one else beats me to it and If I haven't replied in the next couple of days then e-mail me and I'll get of my behind and find the notes.
Mark.
Those upper shafts gave me quite a bit of trouble and I'll dig out my notes, but I used a pipe wrench to remove the shafts but getting the new ones in was quite an ordeal but I've spoken to quite a few guys and they have had no trouble.
If no one else beats me to it and If I haven't replied in the next couple of days then e-mail me and I'll get of my behind and find the notes.
Mark.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: AUSTIN Tx
Re: C1 upper control arm removal. Help! (MolokaiBill)
My reccomendation would be to remove the shafts only if thy are ruined! The shafts will last forever if they have been kept greased.
:seeya
:seeya
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 573
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From: Gold Coast Queensland Australia
Re: C1 upper control arm removal. Help! (John McGraw)
Yeah John,
I wish the previous owner/s of my 59 had that advise, my shafts were worn nearly in half on one side only?????
It sure would have saved me some grief if thay had!
Mark.
I wish the previous owner/s of my 59 had that advise, my shafts were worn nearly in half on one side only?????
It sure would have saved me some grief if thay had!
Mark.
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From: Mustang OK
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Re: C1 upper control arm removal. Help! (MolokaiBill)
[Modified by DZAUTO, 9:54 AM 7/26/2002]
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Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Gold Coast Queensland Australia
Re: C1 upper control arm removal. Help! (MolokaiBill)
MolokaiBill,
I was going to post the info that Tom gave me quite some time ago but when I looked I found that Tom had beaten me to it.
I followed Toms advice and help and did the job without too much grief. (Thanks Tom!!!)
I did have trouble fitting the new upper shafts but I beleive that I was supplied with the wrong oversize but there wasn't a choice with the CC kit that I bought but you may be able to get the correct oversize from another source. Maybe Tom will be able to advise you of a source.
I've only gotten my 59 back on the road in the last week and the difference in the ride and handling is significant. I also changed to tapered roller bearings.
Good luck, Mark.
I was going to post the info that Tom gave me quite some time ago but when I looked I found that Tom had beaten me to it.
I followed Toms advice and help and did the job without too much grief. (Thanks Tom!!!)
I did have trouble fitting the new upper shafts but I beleive that I was supplied with the wrong oversize but there wasn't a choice with the CC kit that I bought but you may be able to get the correct oversize from another source. Maybe Tom will be able to advise you of a source.
I've only gotten my 59 back on the road in the last week and the difference in the ride and handling is significant. I also changed to tapered roller bearings.
Good luck, Mark.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Mustang OK
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
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2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Re: C1 upper control arm removal. Help! (59er)
To the best of my knowledge, there is only ONE oversize. ONE fits all!
Now, it is possible that between different manufactures, there may have been some variation in how much oversize they had. But, otherwise, there was no different oversizes to choose from.
Now, it is possible that between different manufactures, there may have been some variation in how much oversize they had. But, otherwise, there was no different oversizes to choose from.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: El Segundo CA
Re: C1 upper control arm removal. Help! (DZAUTO)
OK, I got the front end off....I didn't have to remove the shafts to get the A-arm off
Although there isn't much wear, I'm going to put in a whole new front end kit because there wasn't much evidence of adequate grease either.
Any further advice?
Although there isn't much wear, I'm going to put in a whole new front end kit because there wasn't much evidence of adequate grease either.
Any further advice?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 573
Likes: 6
From: Gold Coast Queensland Australia
Re: C1 upper control arm removal. Help! (MolokaiBill)
Bill,
The only real drama that I had when replacing the front end components was with the upper inner shafts which were a real bitch to get in but I have spoken to lots of other guys that had next to no problems getting them in.
It is a little difficult getting the a-arms onto the shafts due to the new seals but with the right amount of pressure and manipulation they do go on although expect to sit in wonderment for awhile trying to beleive that it is possible to get them on.
I have just returned from a bit of a run around in the 59 paying particular attention to the steering and suspension and I can assure you that there is a huge difference from before the overhaul but I should again remind you that I also fitted the tapered bearings.
Good luck! Mark.
The only real drama that I had when replacing the front end components was with the upper inner shafts which were a real bitch to get in but I have spoken to lots of other guys that had next to no problems getting them in.
It is a little difficult getting the a-arms onto the shafts due to the new seals but with the right amount of pressure and manipulation they do go on although expect to sit in wonderment for awhile trying to beleive that it is possible to get them on.
I have just returned from a bit of a run around in the 59 paying particular attention to the steering and suspension and I can assure you that there is a huge difference from before the overhaul but I should again remind you that I also fitted the tapered bearings.
Good luck! Mark.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,158
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From: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada NS
Re: C1 upper control arm removal. Help! (MolokaiBill)
If your gonna rebuild the complete front end why not opt for one of the independent front end conversions ?
I rebuilt my front end arround 1995 and now I am kind of wishing I would have swapped it out for an ifs as now I am thinkin about front discs. Discs are included with the ifs.
Cheers
I rebuilt my front end arround 1995 and now I am kind of wishing I would have swapped it out for an ifs as now I am thinkin about front discs. Discs are included with the ifs.
Cheers
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: El Segundo CA
Re: C1 upper control arm removal. Help! (kenmo)
OK, here's a wrap up.
I have just completed the crossmember replacement project, and I didn't have to replace the upper control arm shaft after all, as the ones on the replacement crossmember were OK.
I bought the crossmember on ebay and it is much too rusty for my liking. If it wasn't for for a class reunion next weekend I would have sent it back.
After all this I've decided to install a complete aftermarket IFS kit and have already learned a lot from the other thread I started.
And I've become a lot more cautious buying on ebay. I've met a lot of great people through this forum and now have a lot more resources for help and buying parts.
I have just completed the crossmember replacement project, and I didn't have to replace the upper control arm shaft after all, as the ones on the replacement crossmember were OK.
I bought the crossmember on ebay and it is much too rusty for my liking. If it wasn't for for a class reunion next weekend I would have sent it back.
After all this I've decided to install a complete aftermarket IFS kit and have already learned a lot from the other thread I started.
And I've become a lot more cautious buying on ebay. I've met a lot of great people through this forum and now have a lot more resources for help and buying parts.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 147
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From: El Segundo CA
Re: C1 upper control arm removal. Help! (kenmo)
I was first considering the Total Cost Involved kit, as the price is right. However it requires considerable welding (Which would be OK if I was doing a body-off, like DavidH) Welding with the fenderwells on doesn't sound like something I want to do. The Jim Meyer kit is basically bolt on with a small bit of welding (DavidH says that I could drive down to a welding shop after installation)
I just got back from a test drive. It's better, but still too loose to take on the freeway. It's off to the alignment shop Monday.
BTW: Here's a picture that shows how the wheel looked before I started this project.
I just got back from a test drive. It's better, but still too loose to take on the freeway. It's off to the alignment shop Monday.
BTW: Here's a picture that shows how the wheel looked before I started this project.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 147
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From: El Segundo CA
Re: C1 upper control arm removal. Help! (kenmo)
The wheels are old American Racing mags. I think they're (or are similar to) the TorqueThrust-D series. The previous owner painted the centers red...that'll be corrected soon
