Fully loaded control arms?

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May 14, 2012 | 01:50 PM

MacVette86

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?

May 14, 2012 | 02:14 PM

lars

Tech Contributor

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 14,379

Likes: 6,390

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

May 14, 2012 | 08:16 PM

MacVette86

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

May 14, 2012 | 10:03 PM

oldalaskaman

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

Last edited by oldalaskaman; May 14, 2012 at 10:09 PM.

May 14, 2012 | 10:07 PM

Shark Racer

Race Director

Joined: Jan 2000

Posts: 12,399

Likes: 247

From: San Jose CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldalaskaman

I have never done press fit bushings before, but none of the rest of the job scares me.

May 14, 2012 | 10:11 PM

oldalaskaman

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 9,272

Likes: 17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shark Racer

I have never done press fit bushings before, but none of the rest of the job scares me.

there's a neat trick, serious old school

May 15, 2012 | 01:55 PM

MacVette86

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.

May 15, 2012 | 02:01 PM

Marlin

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 1,372

Likes: 4

From: Springfield VA

Do you want poly bushings? You can always buy the bushings and have a machine shop press them in.

Also the ball joints are bolted in, not pressed.

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May 15, 2012 | 02:04 PM

Shark Racer

Race Director

Joined: Jan 2000

Posts: 12,399

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From: San Jose CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marlin

Also the ball joints are bolted in, not pressed.

Unless they're original or were installed by an NCRS type, which would make them riveted.

May 15, 2012 | 02:25 PM

#10

BB72

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 3,429

Likes: 20

From: Kingston Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by lars

I agree with Lars. I would add a sawsall in there for when you remove the old bushings with heat(they fall out then) you can cut the outer bushing race easy enough and install the new ones.

Rob

May 15, 2012 | 03:11 PM

#11

damoroso

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 1,116

Likes: 5

From: Middleburg Florida

Yeah, just unbolt it and bolt the new one in......

May 15, 2012 | 09:06 PM

#12

72LS1Vette

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 4,883

Likes: 11

From: North Easton Mass

Quote:

Originally Posted by lars

Welcome back Lars!

Rick B.

May 15, 2012 | 09:26 PM

#13

oldalaskaman

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 9,272

Likes: 17

for what its worth , if I could afford to buy loaded control arms, I would.

May 15, 2012 | 09:52 PM

#14

Clams Canino

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jun 2009

Posts: 2,343

Likes: 4

From: Anderson SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by lars

I did mine using Lars' paper - twas not bad at all.
(except for the sandblasting!)

-W

May 16, 2012 | 12:56 PM

#15

MacVette86

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.

May 16, 2012 | 01:03 PM

#16

oldalaskaman

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2010

Posts: 9,272

Likes: 17

wilcox has a neat tech. on how to cage the spring and make things easier.

May 17, 2012 | 10:50 PM

#17

lvmyvt76

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 2,753

Likes: 119

From: Springfield Missouri

oldalaskaman, what color is your 76? can not send any PM to you.

May 17, 2012 | 11:20 PM

#18

Steve439

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.

May 17, 2012 | 11:25 PM

#19

John 65

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 5,381

Likes: 416

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.