You might have to loosen sway bar link.
control arm reinstall problem
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: bethpage NY
control arm reinstall problem
i removed the upper and lower control arms to replace the bushings and ball joints. i went to put them back together and i pressed the bottom ball joint on to the bottom of the wheel assembly and when i went to attach the top i now have a 4 - 5'' gap i compressed the springs correctly and i don't think i can compress them much more 
... any suggestions?
... any suggestions?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: bethpage NY
i think that should do the trick
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: bethpage NY
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 971
Likes: 45
From: Middlesex NJ
Did you tighten the bushing bolts already? Seems like that upper control arm is horizontal to ground (hanging on the bushings).
If so loosen them back up so the control arms just flop around. You aren't supposed to tighten the bushing bolts until the full weight of the car is back on them.
Also I would attach the spindle to the upper arm first so that its weight will pull down on the upper arm.
Most cars that have the motor in them still will be easy to compress the lower control arm up with just a floor jack and not need a spring compressor. You look like you have your old springs still. Unless your springs aren't in the pockets correctly?
If so loosen them back up so the control arms just flop around. You aren't supposed to tighten the bushing bolts until the full weight of the car is back on them.
Also I would attach the spindle to the upper arm first so that its weight will pull down on the upper arm.
Most cars that have the motor in them still will be easy to compress the lower control arm up with just a floor jack and not need a spring compressor. You look like you have your old springs still. Unless your springs aren't in the pockets correctly?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
This
Make sure the spring ends are within about 1/2" of those little holes at the end of each spring pocket. Some guys stick a screwdriver or drill bit through them so they can bump the spring end against it.
The stock springs sit high and have a lot of throw. You will no doubt have to squash them a bit with a jack regardless. I replaced mine with a set of aftermarket F41 type springs that gave me about a 3/4" drop, and I barely had to compress them if at all to get the ball joint nuts started. You might look into them. Your springs look original, and replacements are cheap.
Make sure the spring ends are within about 1/2" of those little holes at the end of each spring pocket. Some guys stick a screwdriver or drill bit through them so they can bump the spring end against it.
The stock springs sit high and have a lot of throw. You will no doubt have to squash them a bit with a jack regardless. I replaced mine with a set of aftermarket F41 type springs that gave me about a 3/4" drop, and I barely had to compress them if at all to get the ball joint nuts started. You might look into them. Your springs look original, and replacements are cheap.