Control Arm bushing questions
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Durham NC
Control Arm bushing questions
I am in the process of rebuilding the front suspension/brakes on my '68. Last week, I dropped off my upper and lower control arms at the machine shop that had pressed the old ones out. They called late yesterday with a problem. Said the bushings vary in size (not upper to lower, but within the 4 upper and 4 lower) with some being as much as 13 millimeters larger than the opening on the control arm.
My questions - how much larger than the opening should the bushings be? Shouldn't they all be the same size (I purchased them from Ecklers, if someone has a better source, please let me know). The obvious concern is destroying a control arm trying to get them in, so the guys at the shop stopped work until I could do some research.
As always, thanks for the assistance.
My questions - how much larger than the opening should the bushings be? Shouldn't they all be the same size (I purchased them from Ecklers, if someone has a better source, please let me know). The obvious concern is destroying a control arm trying to get them in, so the guys at the shop stopped work until I could do some research.
As always, thanks for the assistance.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,175
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From: Connecticut, USA
I would look and listen very closely to what they are saying. If they tried to press them out without supporting the inner arch of the arms they will bent the arm and wreck it. I'mnot saying they did this but just advises you of the potential. The top and bottom bushings are different and usually noticable. FYI, I use either a hole saw or air chisel to drive them out. If I do need to press them out, I have a slotted pipe I machined that fits in between the arms to support them.
Good luck,hopefully there's no major problem. I believe the bushings or most of them are now imported so there could be a dimensional issue with them.
Gary
Good luck,hopefully there's no major problem. I believe the bushings or most of them are now imported so there could be a dimensional issue with them.
Gary
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Durham NC
They pressed the old ones out several weeks ago. At that point, I picked them up from the shop to clean and paint them. They weren't bent at that point.
I thought about mixing them up as well, but I had that discussion with the owner on Friday and they had them right.
I think the dimensions are just screwed up on the new bushings. Has anyone purchased bushings from Ecklers and had the same problem? If so, what was the resolution?
Thanks again.
I thought about mixing them up as well, but I had that discussion with the owner on Friday and they had them right.
I think the dimensions are just screwed up on the new bushings. Has anyone purchased bushings from Ecklers and had the same problem? If so, what was the resolution?
Thanks again.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 391
Likes: 9
From: Wake Forest NC
I would think you could still get them from GM. Unless you're going for an original look, I'd try GM, NAPA or a parts store that sells Moog or someother name brand and leave Ecklers and Corvette Central out of it. They've never been real strong for me for parts. If you want originality, try Paragon Reproductions in Sawyer MI "www.corvette-paragon.com/"....Frank
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
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From: North Easton Mass
I suppose it's possible that you received the wrong parts. The lower bushings on my 79 are noticeably different from the uppers. The lowers are longer and have a reduction in diameter on the inside. I bought my bushings from Van Steel and had no problems with fit.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: New Hill NC
OK, here is the deal. The Eckler stuff is off shore junk. I have had several discussions with them about this and hopefully they are in the process of changing. The problem is, there is no bevel on the forward leading edge, and when you try to get them in they hang up and will not go in. Send them back and go to the local parts store or GM. You will see that the quality is much better and there is a bevel on the leading edge.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Durham NC
You're right - the guys that owns the shop has a really think Russian accent and I mis-understood what he said.
Having said that, I picked up the bushings today and all four (4) bushings for the upper control arms are different size with up to 35 thousandths difference between them. Way too much! New ones are on the way to me, old ones are going back to where they came from...
Having said that, I picked up the bushings today and all four (4) bushings for the upper control arms are different size with up to 35 thousandths difference between them. Way too much! New ones are on the way to me, old ones are going back to where they came from...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
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From: Raleigh North Carolina
"all four (4) bushings for the upper control arms are different size with up to 35 thousandths difference between them."
What a great way to build confidence & trust in your clientele.
Must be a new MBA program at Harvard.
What a great way to build confidence & trust in your clientele.
Must be a new MBA program at Harvard.