A-arm upper/lower Pivot shaft bushing torque ?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 175
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From: GRIMSBY N.E.LINCS. U.K.
A-arm upper/lower Pivot shaft bushing torque ?
My 1972 has V.B.P. poly graphite bushes in the upper A-arms and VAN STEEL poly (are these poly graphite also?) in the lower A-arms.
What is the correct torque in FOOT POUNDS that should be applied to the pivot shaft end bolts and large washer for each of these products?
Also is there a higher torque applied to the lower shafts and if so why?
Do i need to apply thread-lock to the bolts? (LOC TITE)
MULTIPLE REPLYS PLEASE IN FOOT POUNDS WOULD BE APRECIATED.
Many thanks SAM.
What is the correct torque in FOOT POUNDS that should be applied to the pivot shaft end bolts and large washer for each of these products?
Also is there a higher torque applied to the lower shafts and if so why?
Do i need to apply thread-lock to the bolts? (LOC TITE)
MULTIPLE REPLYS PLEASE IN FOOT POUNDS WOULD BE APRECIATED.
Many thanks SAM.
Last edited by SARASOTA SAM; Oct 27, 2007 at 03:05 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
It may not be the right answer but I have always just torqued both top and bottom to 35 lbs, and I do use a dab of anti-seize on the threads.
Granted, I have not used poly, but I would imagine there would be little difference.
Granted, I have not used poly, but I would imagine there would be little difference.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
for POLY CA bushings ... not rubber
Do NOT use antiseize on endbolts if you have POLY CA bushings.
Instead, clean both ... bolt male threads & shaft female threads ... extra clean! ... then install bolts w/ Loctite and simply snug up ... this is for POLY CA bushings only!
Poly CA bushings are not bonded together like rubber ... the poly parts normally want to rotate during operation ... and want to rotate the end bolt loose too ... so poly needs Loctite on end bolts.
Instead, clean both ... bolt male threads & shaft female threads ... extra clean! ... then install bolts w/ Loctite and simply snug up ... this is for POLY CA bushings only!
Poly CA bushings are not bonded together like rubber ... the poly parts normally want to rotate during operation ... and want to rotate the end bolt loose too ... so poly needs Loctite on end bolts.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: GRIMSBY N.E.LINCS. U.K.
Do NOT use antiseize on endbolts if you have POLY CA bushings.
Instead, clean both ... bolt male threads & shaft female threads ... extra clean! ... then install bolts w/ Loctite and simply snug up ... this is for POLY CA bushings only!
Poly CA bushings are not bonded together like rubber ... the poly parts normally want to rotate during operation ... and want to rotate the end bolt loose too ... so poly needs Loctite on end bolts.
Instead, clean both ... bolt male threads & shaft female threads ... extra clean! ... then install bolts w/ Loctite and simply snug up ... this is for POLY CA bushings only!
Poly CA bushings are not bonded together like rubber ... the poly parts normally want to rotate during operation ... and want to rotate the end bolt loose too ... so poly needs Loctite on end bolts.
Am i thinking right on this ? SAM
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: GRIMSBY N.E.LINCS. U.K.
Guess your dead right but its Sunday tomorrow was hoping after all the people who had converted to polly a definitive answer was known?
Could this be a reason for the dreaded squekes/groans experienced?
(p.s. were 5-8 hrs ahead in the uk so if have to hope i dont but may have to ring both on monday.)
Come on guys can move on tomorow with a definitive answer
riding the wild wind........ regards SAM.
Could this be a reason for the dreaded squekes/groans experienced?
(p.s. were 5-8 hrs ahead in the uk so if have to hope i dont but may have to ring both on monday.)
Come on guys can move on tomorow with a definitive answer
riding the wild wind........ regards SAM.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
I don't think rubber or poly matters. I torqued mine to the center of the listed specification from my 77 manual and the bushings seem to move fine. Make sure to put some Loctite on the threads so the rotating motion of the bushings doesn't back the bolts out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,727
Likes: 38
From: Fremont CA
I just LOVE those poly bushing kits that dont have the serrated inner sleeves like a factory "Harris" type bushing, after a few hundred or thousand miles, EVERYTHING is LOOSE! The factory bushings have a serrated inner sleeve to LOCK the washer to the control arm shaft so nothing comes LOOSE during the life of the Vette. WHY HAVENT ANY COMPANIES FIGURED OUT THE BASIC ENGINEERING that went into our cars. Yes rubber rots over time, but control arms STAY PUT for the life of the bushing! My humble opinion and because of all the years I have skinned my knuckles on cars, I am entitled to it!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: GRIMSBY N.E.LINCS. U.K.
I just LOVE those poly bushing kits that dont have the serrated inner sleeves like a factory "Harris" type bushing, after a few hundred or thousand miles, EVERYTHING is LOOSE! The factory bushings have a serrated inner sleeve to LOCK the washer to the control arm shaft so nothing comes LOOSE during the life of the Vette. WHY HAVENT ANY COMPANIES FIGURED OUT THE BASIC ENGINEERING that went into our cars. Yes rubber rots over time, but control arms STAY PUT for the life of the bushing! My humble opinion and because of all the years I have skinned my knuckles on cars, I am entitled to it!
SO FAR SEEMS 106 VIEWERS HAVE NO DEFINITIVE ANSWER TO MY INITIAL REQUEST? some one must know surely!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Looks like you had two good answers. See below.
Do NOT use antiseize on endbolts if you have POLY CA bushings.
Instead, clean both ... bolt male threads & shaft female threads ... extra clean! ... then install bolts w/ Loctite and simply snug up ... this is for POLY CA bushings only!
Poly CA bushings are not bonded together like rubber ... the poly parts normally want to rotate during operation ... and want to rotate the end bolt loose too ... so poly needs Loctite on end bolts.
Instead, clean both ... bolt male threads & shaft female threads ... extra clean! ... then install bolts w/ Loctite and simply snug up ... this is for POLY CA bushings only!
Poly CA bushings are not bonded together like rubber ... the poly parts normally want to rotate during operation ... and want to rotate the end bolt loose too ... so poly needs Loctite on end bolts.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
I did that. Torque to AIM specs whatever that was. I think 35 foot lbs was adequate. This torque should not be applied to the bushing if I understood what I did. The parts subject to the torque is only the shaft, the bushing inner shell, the flat washer and the shaft bolt. The inner shell's length should be adjusted so the bushing has a very small play against the flat washer and rests without pressure. The bushing should also be cut so it doesn't rub against the shaft. I reused the old outer shells and prelubed some extra. Six months and not a squeek so far. Use disposable gloves, the high pressure lube is like glue. Loctite the shaft bolts or they can come undone. My control arm fell off because of loose control arm shaft bolts when I just bought the car. You don't want that to happen.
link to VBP's instructions on how to do it that I followed:
http://www.vbandp.com/instructions/31015-16-27-28.pdf
link to VBP's instructions on how to do it that I followed:
http://www.vbandp.com/instructions/31015-16-27-28.pdf
