Removing A-arms--is it hard?
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Lake Villa IL
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Removing A-arms--is it hard?
I'd like to remove and restore my A-arms. Is this difficult? It looks like a matter of a few bolts. If I put the shims back in place, will I badly screw up my alignment? How hard is it to replace the bushings?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2000
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Re: Removing A-arms--is it hard? (joeveto)
It's not as intense as the rear suspension.....But - be sure you have a really good "spring" compressor & be careful ! :eek:
The lower A-arms are a little bit tougher + remember that you might want to replace bushings and/or ball joints while you can get to them. ;)
The alignment will be 'close' with the same shims but usually things tend to shift, so it's best to get a new alignment afterwards. :chevy
The lower A-arms are a little bit tougher + remember that you might want to replace bushings and/or ball joints while you can get to them. ;)
The alignment will be 'close' with the same shims but usually things tend to shift, so it's best to get a new alignment afterwards. :chevy
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: dudley ma
Re: Removing A-arms--is it hard? (joeveto)
going thru a front end rebuild right now. there are great instructions on the forum search archive files for 79 front end rebuild by i think david orr
they are excellent. what i did was buy a front end rebuild kit from riks corvette parts approx. 190.00 the instructions are step by step not difficult if you take it step by step. kit includes upper and lower bushings,ball joints, tie rod ends, stablizer bar link kit I am aslo doing brake pads and shocks while in there also wheel bearings while everything is a part
they are excellent. what i did was buy a front end rebuild kit from riks corvette parts approx. 190.00 the instructions are step by step not difficult if you take it step by step. kit includes upper and lower bushings,ball joints, tie rod ends, stablizer bar link kit I am aslo doing brake pads and shocks while in there also wheel bearings while everything is a part
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
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From: Lake Villa IL
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St. Jude Contributor
Re: Removing A-arms--is it hard? (joeveto)
Verskel, thanks a lot. I never even thought about the springs. That's probably an important point. Huh?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: dudley ma
Re: Removing A-arms--is it hard? (joeveto)
one more thing upper a-arms put the shims back same amount on each side and count the threads on the tie rods and leave the same amount exposed you will be close but will need to have front and back lined up
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Palatine IL
Re: Removing A-arms--is it hard? (joeveto)
If your engine is still out, do it now. They are much easier to R&R with the engine out because you have a ton of space. Mark the shim locations, two nuts on the top arm and a few bolts on the bottom arm and they come right off. You will need a spring compressor because you do not have the weight of the engine to use the jack under the lower control arm method. I took mine to a shop and had the bushings pressed in and out. You will need an alignment when finished.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: nyc ny
Re: Removing A-arms--is it hard? (joeveto)
yeah springs are major consideration for this job meaning you must excersize caution when doing the job of taking apart the front end as was stated use a spring compressor buy or rent they are cheap. Since you have never done the job before do not take the advise of those who tellyou that you do not have to use a spring compressor. the guys that dont have usually done this job before and have the experience. If a spring lets go it can kill you if your in the wrong place at the wrong time. The job is not difficult the thing here is saftey..... Ok guys Im ready lets hear it :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
