Need help rebuilding control arms
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Need help rebuilding control arms
Hey everyone, so I ripped apart the front suspension of my 1976, blasted and painted, but when I went to reinstall the upper control arm bushings, they don't fit. The bushings I removed had a metal sleeve inside the rubber, and no outer sleeve. The ones I got in my "suspension rebuild kit" have an inner and outer metal sleeve, and are too big by about the thickness of the outer sleeve. I looked around the internet, and couldn't find any bushings without an outer sleeve. I don't think I can press them in, because not even the small end of the outer sleeve fits in the control arm.
I'm not quite sure what to do about it. I'm thinking about grabbing a dremel and cutting off the outer sleeve. Thoughts?
I'm not quite sure what to do about it. I'm thinking about grabbing a dremel and cutting off the outer sleeve. Thoughts?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 303
From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
LT - the standard/stock control arm bushings had the inner and outer metal sleeves with rubber sandwiched between. That is what I have on my 76. Is it possible that the "outer" sleeves are still in the control arms??
A picture of the arms and old bushing would help.
A picture of the arms and old bushing would help.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Heres the control arm and a new bushing, the old ones got thrown away before I realized this would be an issue. As you can see, the sleeve cant even be started. I am 100% sure the old bushings did not have an outer sleeve.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
You should measure the ID of the control arms and then do some online research for control arm bushings that meet the same dimensions, width wise as well.
Obviously you have some non factory arms so using factory parts isn't always going to work. Time to fabricate or find another source for bushings.
Obviously you have some non factory arms so using factory parts isn't always going to work. Time to fabricate or find another source for bushings.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,350
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From: Tampa, Florida
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,933
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From: Virginia
I'm very happy with my SPC upper control arms ($200- per pair, all day every day on eBay, I have the greasable "race" versions). You will need to rebuild one to be the mirror image of the other one, but you can then adjust camber and caster without using shims.
Something to think about, if you can't find bushings.
Something to think about, if you can't find bushings.