Upper control arm bolts keep untightening

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Jan 18, 2011 | 12:37 AM

big454blockchevy

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 273

Likes: 1

From: Fabens TX

Upper control arm bolts keep untightening

I keep having to tighten the upper control arm bolts . I tried permanent lock tite and they still come loose. Anybody have a clue as to why?

Jan 18, 2011 | 09:40 AM

Alan 71

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 31,267

Likes: 4,362

From: Westminster Maryland

Hi 454,
Are you asking about the bolts to the frame, or the bolts through the bushings into the end of the control arm shaft.
Regards,
Alan

Jan 18, 2011 | 11:02 AM

sly vette

Safety Car

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 3,570

Likes: 1

From: Algonac Michigan

If its the bolts at the bushings and you have "poly" that may have something to do with it.
As I understand it...Locktite will usually solve the problem though.
Good Luck!

Jan 18, 2011 | 11:30 AM

pepegriffo

Instructor

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 107

Likes: 0

From: arlington texas

If the frame bolts are turning, the knurled bolts have loosened. You could try new knurled bolts. I just finished bushing install. One frame bolt was loose so I tack welded the bolts in place. You might be able to get a wrench behind the frame to tighten the bolts rather than take the control arm off for a fix.

Tough job either way.

Pepe

Jan 18, 2011 | 01:23 PM

big454blockchevy

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 273

Likes: 1

From: Fabens TX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan 71

Hi 454,
Are you asking about the bolts to the frame, or the bolts through the bushings into the end of the control arm shaft.
Regards,
Alan

The bolts to the control arm shaft. Let me take a pic

will post it in a few minutes.

Jan 18, 2011 | 01:45 PM

big454blockchevy

Thread Starter

Racer

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 273

Likes: 1

From: Fabens TX

OK, was going to post pics but batteries in camera are low. Went back out to tighten them , don't want to brake though. Yes , I am that strong.

Jan 18, 2011 | 04:03 PM

cvar33

Intermediate

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 40

Likes: 1

From: Austin TX

just add another nut and use it as a jam nut. Or.... use a nylock nut or lock nut in place of the "normal" nut you are using now.

Jan 18, 2011 | 04:57 PM

Belgian1979vette

Melting Slicks

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 2,164

Likes: 7

From: Beringen

Probably because you have poly's in there. The problem is these turn on the shaft. The bolt is in the shaft and thus fixed. The bushing therefor turns on the large washer and tries to turn the bolt loose also. That's why. The design of the shafts was for use with rubber which uses internal friction to resist the motion. The internal sleeve doesn't turn in a rubber bushing, keeping the bolts tight.

To be honest, there is only one way to keep those bolts tight and that is to uses a threaded shaft into the end of the shaft and welding that, then use a castle nut.