Upper control arms - quick question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Upper control arms - quick question
Hi Guys,
Quick question: how are the upper control arm bolts held in place? (I mean, the ones that hold the shafts to the frame.) Are they welded to the frame? Do they have a "square shoulder", like one of the idler arm bolts? I'd like to remove those bolts (:smash:) to make the removal of the control arms easier, but don't want to screw things up...
Thanks in advance!
-Pedro
Quick question: how are the upper control arm bolts held in place? (I mean, the ones that hold the shafts to the frame.) Are they welded to the frame? Do they have a "square shoulder", like one of the idler arm bolts? I'd like to remove those bolts (:smash:) to make the removal of the control arms easier, but don't want to screw things up...
Thanks in advance!
-Pedro
Just another Corvette guy
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,518
Likes: 3,863
From: Palm Springs, CA.
Re: Upper control arms - quick question (Pedro'74)
No Pedro, they're not welded in place. They have a serrated edge just under the head of the bolt that holds them in place. A good blow with a brass hammer will usually dislodge them easily enough. And the same to reinstall them also.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,036
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Re: Upper control arms - quick question (Pedro'74)
Is the engine still in the car? Body on also? If so, it might be tough finding the swinging room for the hammer.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
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From: Clifton Park NY
Re: Upper control arms - quick question (Captain Morgan)
Avery,
Yea, everything is there, including radiator and fan shroud. I just thought it would be easier to remove the bolts than mess with the shroud...
Thanks,
-Pedro
Yea, everything is there, including radiator and fan shroud. I just thought it would be easier to remove the bolts than mess with the shroud...
Thanks,
-Pedro
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,036
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From: Westfield Indiana
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Re: Upper control arms - quick question (Pedro'74)
Van Steel uses a slide hammer to remove the bolts. It definitly looks fabricated, but it goes in through the fender and slides down over the bolt. Then they just slide the hammer back and pop the bolt out. Of course, you'd have to have a slide hammer like theirs, but they sure make it look easy in their video on suspension removal and reinstallation.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 121
From: Wichita KS
Re: Upper control arms - quick question (Captain Morgan)
Van Steel uses a slide hammer to remove the bolts. ....
Be sure to mark and identify the alignment shims.
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: Upper control arms - quick question (Captain Morgan)
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the responses. You were right: there's definitely no swinging room there. I'm not sure what a slide hammer is, but the C-clamp did the trick! :cool: I removed the front bolt only, and for all I care that's enough, since I was able to remove that filthy control arm (years of power steering leak and torn ball joint boots made a real mess in my front suspension). Now let's try the passenger's side.... :smash:
Can I buy new bolts (if so, where?), or should I keep them?
Thanks again!
:cheers:
-Pedro
[Modified by Pedro'74, 1:04 PM 5/13/2003]
Thanks for the responses. You were right: there's definitely no swinging room there. I'm not sure what a slide hammer is, but the C-clamp did the trick! :cool: I removed the front bolt only, and for all I care that's enough, since I was able to remove that filthy control arm (years of power steering leak and torn ball joint boots made a real mess in my front suspension). Now let's try the passenger's side.... :smash:
Can I buy new bolts (if so, where?), or should I keep them?
Thanks again!
:cheers:
-Pedro
[Modified by Pedro'74, 1:04 PM 5/13/2003]
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Madison WI
Re: Upper control arms - quick question (Pedro'74)
Glad to hear the c-clamp worked for you!
You can new upper a-arm mounting studs at pretty much any Corvette supplier/vendor such as Zip or whatever. I happended to get mine from Corvette America.
Dale in Badgerland.
You can new upper a-arm mounting studs at pretty much any Corvette supplier/vendor such as Zip or whatever. I happended to get mine from Corvette America.
Dale in Badgerland.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Re: Upper control arms - quick question (Pedro'74)
I replaced my studs a few months ago and went to the dealer to buy 4 new ones. They were about $4.00 each but I had to buy a skin package of 10. GM's new policy. I just used normal wheel studs. They fit like the old studs. The existing hole was perfect and I had some in stock in my shop.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: Upper control arms - quick question (norvalwilhelm)
Yea, Dale, the C-clamp trick worked like a charm!
Thanks for the repliew, guys. I think I'll include the studs in my next parts order.
I guess if you strip/enlarge those holes, you're pretty much screwed, right?
Thanks again!
-Pedro
Thanks for the repliew, guys. I think I'll include the studs in my next parts order.
I guess if you strip/enlarge those holes, you're pretty much screwed, right?
Thanks again!
-Pedro
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: Upper control arms - quick question (foundvettelifeisgood)
Hi Jay,
With the fan shroud and all in there? Did you do a lot of :smash: :smash: ?? :D On my car that seemed impossible...
:cheers:
-Pedro
With the fan shroud and all in there? Did you do a lot of :smash: :smash: ?? :D On my car that seemed impossible...
:cheers:
-Pedro
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,117
Likes: 213
From: Pittsburgh PA
Re: Upper control arms - quick question (Pedro'74)
I have no air or power steering, and our shrouds may be different. I recall loosening the shroud by taking out the 2 top screws and the nuts and bolts on the underside and just pushing it over an inch or so.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Madison WI
Re: Upper control arms - quick question (isosceles)
Thank you very much! I am glad I was able to help. My front end (a-arms, springs, etc.) goes back together this weekend. Alignment next week. Then off to Goodyear for a new set of tires. Hopefully I can fit 255/60's instead of the small 225/70's I have on now.
Dale in Badgerland.
Dale in Badgerland.
Instructor
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 222
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From: Albany N.Y.
Re: Upper control arms - quick question (Pedro'74)
Hi! Pedro. I just noticed this post. Looks like eveyone has you in good shape. I have done this job. If you run into any other problems e-mail me to see if I can help.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Re: Upper control arms - quick question (Tom77)
Hey, I want a MacGuiver award too! :smash:
I used a C-clamp, plus some bubble gum to keep the C-clamp from slipping, and chocolate wrap to keep nuclear waste away from the brake lines. :D
Tom,
Thanks a lot! I'll take your offer whenever I need an extra pair of experienced hands---hope you don't mind!
:cheers:
-Pedro
[Modified by Pedro'74, 7:44 PM 5/14/2003]
I used a C-clamp, plus some bubble gum to keep the C-clamp from slipping, and chocolate wrap to keep nuclear waste away from the brake lines. :D
Tom,
Thanks a lot! I'll take your offer whenever I need an extra pair of experienced hands---hope you don't mind!
:cheers:
-Pedro
[Modified by Pedro'74, 7:44 PM 5/14/2003]