Upper & Lower Control Arm Assembly (Bushings)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 47
Likes: 1
From: Austin Texas
Upper & Lower Control Arm Assembly (Bushings)
Had new urethane bushings pressed into the control arms for my 1980 vette.
There seems to be to wide of a gap between the outside part of the inner sleeve on the urethane bushings and the assemble that sets inside the bushing and bolts the arm to the frame. Something is wrong and I know I'm not describing it well. The gap is over 1/4 inch on each side. I bought the bushings from Eckler's as part of a complete front end kit
There seems to be to wide of a gap between the outside part of the inner sleeve on the urethane bushings and the assemble that sets inside the bushing and bolts the arm to the frame. Something is wrong and I know I'm not describing it well. The gap is over 1/4 inch on each side. I bought the bushings from Eckler's as part of a complete front end kit
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: Upper & Lower Control Arm Assembly (MRKearney)
The Urethane type bushings (the bolts ) tend to lossen due to the fact that they must turn in order to work. You have to check the bolts fronm time to time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,575
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From: On an island surrounded by sharks Hawaii
Re: Upper & Lower Control Arm Assembly (MRKearney)
I think I know what you're trying to describe and my guess would be that Ecklers sent you the wrong parts. Try posting a pic of problem.
:seeya
:seeya
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,312
Likes: 70
From: Clearwater FL
Re: Upper & Lower Control Arm Assembly (MRKearney)
I don't think you have the wrong bushings. Do they have a gold shell? If they do your OK. Only one company is making them in poly and everyone uses them.
Are you sure you have the correct bushings in the correct arms? The lowers are longer than the uppers. I know it's a dumb question but I've seen it done before.
Are you saying that the sleeve is not pushed in all the way? If you take a small hammer and tap it down you'll be good. I'm kind of confused on how you described it so i'm thinking of all the possabilities. If i think of any more ideas i'll post them.
Dan
Are you sure you have the correct bushings in the correct arms? The lowers are longer than the uppers. I know it's a dumb question but I've seen it done before.
Are you saying that the sleeve is not pushed in all the way? If you take a small hammer and tap it down you'll be good. I'm kind of confused on how you described it so i'm thinking of all the possabilities. If i think of any more ideas i'll post them.
Dan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Re: Upper & Lower Control Arm Assembly (Van Steel)
Can't quite visualize your parts, but some kits come with instructions that require you to modify the steel for the correct end clearance. If yours are such a kit, and the installer didn't follow the instructions (just pounded them in and walked away), then this may be the issue. Just one possibility.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Upper & Lower Control Arm Assembly (Van Steel)
Dan,
You make a good point. These are new rubber bushings, not poly, but the pic does illustrate the difference in lengths.
The diameter of the outside flanges differs also but that may not be relevant to the problem at hand.
[Modified by paul67, 1:52 PM 9/19/2003]
You make a good point. These are new rubber bushings, not poly, but the pic does illustrate the difference in lengths.
The diameter of the outside flanges differs also but that may not be relevant to the problem at hand.
[Modified by paul67, 1:52 PM 9/19/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Upper & Lower Control Arm Assembly (paul67)
That's interesting, Paul. Does the inner steel sleave cover the full length of the bushing (is it flush with both ends of the bushing) on the longer one (the one on the right)?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Upper & Lower Control Arm Assembly (burners)
My answer would be yes. But you be the judge. These bushings are rubber and manufactured or sourced by DANA/McQuay-Norris. They were part of a front-end package that I purchased from Muskegon Brake four years ago. The kit did wonders for my 1979 handling but the A-arms were just fine so I did not use those bushings. I sold the 1979 so the eight bushings sit in my basement.
*Edit*-Oops! We just had a power failure relating to Isabel. I think the pic will come up now.
[Modified by paul67, 5:11 PM 9/19/2003]
*Edit*-Oops! We just had a power failure relating to Isabel. I think the pic will come up now.
[Modified by paul67, 5:11 PM 9/19/2003]
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
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From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Upper & Lower Control Arm Assembly (paul67)
That is very interesting. I wonder if those are bushings for something completely different but they happen to have the same ID and OD to work on the Corvette. Clearly they are longer. That will cause the flange to be offset from the a-arm by an amount probably close to what MRKearney is experiencing.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: Upper & Lower Control Arm Assembly (burners)
I am not technically competent to say yes or no. Thought I just help out with some pics. But knowing Muskegon Brake I doubt that they are not the right parts. Everything else in the kit fit perfectly. And serves the new owner of my 1979 very well to this day. I hope that by posting the pics more experienced people than me can offer opinions.
