Fully loaded control arms?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: Maple Ridge British Columbia
Fully loaded control arms?
I would like to redo my front suspension myself, but don't have access to a press, etc. I believe the only place I'd need special tools would b to press in the control arm bushings and ball joints. So, can you buy control arms that already have the bushings and ball joints installed?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,385
Likes: 6,414
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
You can e-mail me for a copy of my "How to Rebuild Your Front Suspension" paper for complete instructions on how to do the front end rebuild with no special tools other than an air chissel and a cheap 3/4" drive socket set.
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: Maple Ridge British Columbia
While looking around for front end suspension parts I discovered that VanSteel does indeed sell the complete upper and lower control arm assembly with poly bushings and Moog ball bearing installed. All this for $169.99 minus the 10% forum discount.
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...up=102&ID=3258
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...up=102&ID=3262
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...up=102&ID=3258
http://www.vansteel.com/index.cfm?fu...up=102&ID=3262
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 9,272
Likes: 17
I 'm going out on a limb ,but, if you dont have the experience to do the bushings, actually the easiest part of the job, caging the spring, separating the ball joints from the spindle and then re-installing everything is possibly not the best thing for you to do. For the money you'll spend on your loaded control arms , you could take it to a shop and have it done right, and you wont start a project and not be able to finish it.
btw, just did my complete front suspension , with out special tools or air chisel, but I've been doing it for years.....and years
btw, just did my complete front suspension , with out special tools or air chisel, but I've been doing it for years.....and years
Last edited by oldalaskaman; May 14, 2012 at 10:09 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
I 'm going out on a limb ,but, if you dont have the experience to do the bushings, actually the easiest part of the job, caging the spring, separating the ball joints from the spindle and then re-installing everything is possibly not the best thing for you to do. For the money you'll spend on your loaded control arms , you could take it to a shop and have it done right, and you wont start a project and not be able to finish it
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: Maple Ridge British Columbia
Rebuilding the front suspension doesn't wrry me, I'm a fairly competent back yard mechanic(: The reason I was interested in the fully loaded control arms is simple convenience. For $155 per side (after forum discount), I get a new control arm with bushings installed and a Moog ball joint. Basically, unbolt the existing arm and bolt the new one in. Seems worth it to me.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 20
From: Kingston Ontario
You can e-mail me for a copy of my "How to Rebuild Your Front Suspension" paper for complete instructions on how to do the front end rebuild with no special tools other than an air chissel and a cheap 3/4" drive socket set.
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
Rob
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
You can e-mail me for a copy of my "How to Rebuild Your Front Suspension" paper for complete instructions on how to do the front end rebuild with no special tools other than an air chissel and a cheap 3/4" drive socket set.
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
Rick B.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,343
Likes: 4
From: Anderson SC
You can e-mail me for a copy of my "How to Rebuild Your Front Suspension" paper for complete instructions on how to do the front end rebuild with no special tools other than an air chissel and a cheap 3/4" drive socket set.
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
(except for the sandblasting!)
-W
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 288
Likes: 1
From: Maple Ridge British Columbia
Lars did send me his rebuild paper (Thanks Lars!) and I will use it as my guideline. However, I will buy the fully loaded arms from VanSteel, because for that price and the potential hassle I will avoid, it's worth it to me.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 7,831
Likes: 5
From: Austin TX
It's pretty funny, the control arms were the only thing I didn't do myself on my '67.
I did 'em on my '66 but didn't see much fun there.
It's not the enjoyment of setting up the trailing arms, it's just grunt work.
I boxed up my greasy, crusty arms and I got back pieces of art from Van Steel.
I did 'em on my '66 but didn't see much fun there.
It's not the enjoyment of setting up the trailing arms, it's just grunt work.
I boxed up my greasy, crusty arms and I got back pieces of art from Van Steel.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,383
Likes: 419
From: N J
You dont need a press for this job, its really quite simple. Heres my fancy-schmansy, expensive, specialty tool from the Home Depot that I have used on dozens of these bushings. No, it does not harm the bushing or control arm at all and seats them perfectly. Its like they made this cap for these bushing. Put your control arm flat on the bench, hold it by the shaft, and seat the bushing. Very ez.
