Upper control arm bumpers

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Jan 21, 2009 | 03:12 PM

radiojoe

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From: Pullman WA

Upper control arm bumpers

As a winter project I've been rebuilding my suspension. I have the rear end done and am in the middle of the front end now.

I like to do things like this that are in pairs one at a time, so I've finished the front left hand side and have put it all back together and now I am working on the front right hand side. When I was taking apart the right side I saw the upper control arm bumper, which wasn't there on the left hand side (so I didn't know the part even existed when I put back together the left hand side).

I found the part number as 607-006 at MA:

http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...ywords=607-006

Questions: How do these attach? Just push the smaller rubber end through the hole in the frame? And, can I put the bumper in on my now fully put together left side without having to re-disassemble it (I assume I can just jack up on the lower control arm to get enough clearance under the upper control arm)?

I have a '73 small block.

Thanks!

P.S. I'll post pics of the restoration and more details once I finish up.

Last edited by radiojoe; Jan 21, 2009 at 03:16 PM. Reason: clarification, typo

Jan 21, 2009 | 03:28 PM

Lester B

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You got it in one, they do just push into place. Although its easier with the aid of a screwdriver to get it started and push the remains through the hole.
I have never installed one with the control arm in situe, but like you said if you can get the upper arm high enough with either the weight of the car or by jacking under the lower arm it should be possible. Be prepaired to start swearing though, sure its not going to be easy, the buggers are bad enough when you have good access (A bit of lube of some sort will help)

Lester

Jan 21, 2009 | 05:23 PM

72LS1Vette

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From: North Easton Mass

I was struggling with the bumpers on a bare frame! I figured out a method that made the install easy. It might help you especially since you are installing the bumpers on an assembled front end.

1. Put a little grease on the bumper.
2. Wrap a piece of heavy twine around the slot in the bumper - 1 turn is enough.
3. Run the ends of the twine up through the hole.
4. As Lester said, use a small screwdriver to push a little of the bumper head through - just enough to get a bit of the lip over the edge of the hole.
5. Pull the twine around the hole and it should pull the rest of the bumper head into place.

It's similar to the way that windshields are installed.

Rick B.

Jan 21, 2009 | 05:40 PM

radiojoe

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From: Pullman WA

Great, thanks for the tips Rick & Lester! I still need to order the bumpers, once I get them installed if I have any more tips to add about installing them with the control arm on I'll make sure and update this thread.

Best,
-Joe

Jan 21, 2009 | 07:18 PM

spf72

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From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA

Do you have a picture of where this mounts? I am redoing my front end as well and didn't see these. I checked in my AIM and can't find them either.

Jan 21, 2009 | 07:44 PM

radiojoe

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From: Pullman WA

Quote:

Originally Posted by spf72

Do you have a picture of where this mounts? I am redoing my front end as well and didn't see these. I checked in my AIM and can't find them either.

Sure, this is from my '73 AIM... It's number 11.

Jan 21, 2009 | 08:47 PM

GUSTO14

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2003

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From: eastern NC

I just spray a little WD-40 on the tip and "screw" it into the hole. It goes in easy enough that you should be able to do it with the control arm installed with little effort.

Good luck... BUSTO

Feb 4, 2009 | 01:32 AM

radiojoe

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From: Pullman WA

The upper control arm bumpers showed up and I got them installed. I put a little oil on them and "screwed" them in. For the side that was still disassembled it was quite easy to get it in. For the side that I already had back together, I jacked up the on the lower control arm to give as much room under the upper control arm as I could. I tried to "screw" in the bumper like the other side, but it just wasn't going super easy, so I just lowered the jack and let the pressure push in the bumper. Then just jacked it back up to make sure it got in there fine. Worked like a charm.