EarlyC34me

This is a shot if the front passenger upper control arm. Is it reasonable to get a season out of this and do all new bushings on the front of the car in the downtime at the end of the season? I discovered this while pulling out the radiator due to a heat issue(radiator should be done friday hopefully)

Gordonm

Something not right there. The bushing should be up against the shoulder of the shaft. Looks like the control arm has shifted forward somehow. That will throw the alignment off. I would not drive it like that. What does the rear of the upper control arm look like.

Alan 71

Hi,
I don't think the control arm shifted forward... rather the bushing retainer moved forward.
The bolt under the large washer that retains the bushing in the a-arm wasn't tightened/torqued into the end of the shaft properly.
This let the bushing work it's way out of the a-arm.
Regards,
Alan

EarlyC34me

So Alan, can this just be re-torqued or does it need to be changed out? I am planning to redo the front suspension in the fall and was hoping to drive it in the meantime.
As you can see from the other side everything is aged and needs replacing due to dry rot and cracking.

Alan 71

Hi,
Sooner rather than later the bushings should be changed because of their age and deterioration.
For now you can try tapping the bushing back in place and then see is the bolt can be tightened. (It might have just come loose or it might be stripped. You won't know until you try to torque it)
Regards,
Alan

0Willcox Corvette

It looks to me as if the bolt and washer have either come loose or are missing entirely. Look how the other side looks with the bushing pushed against the arm.

The condition of the busing is splitting, but really not to a critical point unless are the rubber is missing from the inside edge. Normally this rubber will squirt outward when the bushing is at the end of the lifespan. Always remember though, rubber is organic and as it ages it will deteriorate.

You might try to remove the bolt and washer (if present), drive the busing back to where it belongs and then re-torque.

Willcox

EarlyC34me

The bolt pulled it back no problem. I'll have to keep an eye on it to see if it loosens up again. Glad I noticed it because that bolt was almost all the way out.

Thank you for all your responses