Front suspension problems
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Fl
Front suspension problems
I have posted about my problem with my upper control arm touching the inside of my new wheel (pasenger side).
The majority of people have stated that I need to find whatever is bent, because there must be something bent to cause the uneven between the left and right suspensions.
I have the front of the car of stands right now and have removed both wheels.
I have measured and tested all things that could possibly bend in the wheel well and I have found nothing.
The one thing that stood out between the driverside and passenger side was the noticeable difference in the upper ball joints. On the passenger side, the side that is causing the problems, there is a noticeable difference in the gap between the upper control arm and the knuckle. I have not been able to measure the movement in the wheel, because I do not have a dial indicator set, yet.
So my untested conclusion is that the ball joints in the passenger side wheel well are in bad shape and causing the problem,
Does this seem like a good conclusion?
The majority of people have stated that I need to find whatever is bent, because there must be something bent to cause the uneven between the left and right suspensions.
I have the front of the car of stands right now and have removed both wheels.
I have measured and tested all things that could possibly bend in the wheel well and I have found nothing.
The one thing that stood out between the driverside and passenger side was the noticeable difference in the upper ball joints. On the passenger side, the side that is causing the problems, there is a noticeable difference in the gap between the upper control arm and the knuckle. I have not been able to measure the movement in the wheel, because I do not have a dial indicator set, yet.
So my untested conclusion is that the ball joints in the passenger side wheel well are in bad shape and causing the problem,
Does this seem like a good conclusion?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Fl
Originally Posted by Mr. Peabody
Have you .... ah ..... hit anything with that wheel recently or rather with the old wheel prior to putting on the new ones?
But I have checked everything, in the wheel well, upper and lower control arms, the knuckle and the stabilizer bar all seem to be symmetric with the driver side and no bending.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach, FL
Maybe??
Originally Posted by Phantom90
I have pics under my signature. Those are of the passenger side which is the one I am having trouble with.
Larry
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Fl
Yes they have the rivets still on. I have measured both sides and the difference is over 1/4 of an inch.
Do I need a ball joint removal tool for this job or can I do the job with normal mechanic tools and no special equipment. I have ordered the parts but Madvet says that they are out of stock of the ball joint removal tool. I also ordered some urethane bushing so while I was down there I would replace all 4 ball joint and the bushings.
Does Sears sell the ball joint removal tool?
Do I need a ball joint removal tool for this job or can I do the job with normal mechanic tools and no special equipment. I have ordered the parts but Madvet says that they are out of stock of the ball joint removal tool. I also ordered some urethane bushing so while I was down there I would replace all 4 ball joint and the bushings.
Does Sears sell the ball joint removal tool?
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
From: Boynton Beach, FL
Ball joint removal
Covette front upper ball joints are riveted on. The replacements bolt in place. You remove the upper ball joints by grinding off the rivet heads and driving out the rivets with a drift and sledgehammer. Its crude but thats how its done. 
Larry
Larry
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Fl
Originally Posted by bogus
there is something about the trailing end of that upper control arm that looks funny...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
FWIW, I believe is Mid America sells upper control arms with new ball-joints in place for just a little over the price of a new ball joint. This would replace the possibility of a messed up control arm and a messed up ball joint all in one shot.
I wish I was near my vette so I could go look at it. But that gap between the bearing assembly and the upper control arm does not look right at all. Does the other side have a gap like that?
I wish I was near my vette so I could go look at it. But that gap between the bearing assembly and the upper control arm does not look right at all. Does the other side have a gap like that?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Fl
Originally Posted by USAsOnlyWay
FWIW, I believe is Mid America sells upper control arms with new ball-joints in place for just a little over the price of a new ball joint. This would replace the possibility of a messed up control arm and a messed up ball joint all in one shot.
I wish I was near my vette so I could go look at it. But that gap between the bearing assembly and the upper control arm does not look right at all. Does the other side have a gap like that?
I wish I was near my vette so I could go look at it. But that gap between the bearing assembly and the upper control arm does not look right at all. Does the other side have a gap like that?
I got the arm off and am pounding the hell out of the revet pins but they ARE NOT moving. I drill one of them out but I slightly drilled into the upper arm about a millimeter or so, doesnt look to be a big deal. Tomorrow I am going to take the arm to a shop that can take the pins out without causing any more damage.
I will just have to cough up the dough to pay for that to be done and I can do the rest after that.
But to answer your question no I think there was a little over a 1/4 inch difference between them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
That sucks on the control arms. I want to say they used to be for around $120-150 an upper arm. And then Moog ball joints are about 65$ a pop. But obviously they caught on to that being a good deal....
I just hope you aren't going through all this work to find out you have a bad a-arm in the end... good luck!
Keep us updated.
I just hope you aren't going through all this work to find out you have a bad a-arm in the end... good luck!
Keep us updated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 0
From: WAY UPSTATE NY
Originally Posted by bogus
to me, it looks like it was tweeked... and someone heated it to straighten it... put a straight edge do it.
with bogus on this one...it sure looks odd on the rear leg
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Fl
Well I took off both upper control arms. Put a straight edge to all of them compared the two. No difference.
As I said earlier I took off the old ball joints (upper) and put on replacements. The gap difference is gone, but my problem is not.
I have new shocks all around. I have new upper ball joints in the front. But my problem is still preventing me from being able to drive my vette
Im open to other suggestions. The only thing I have not checked out is the forward suspension spring. Could this be a problem?
Is this a hard thing to do in my garage at home or should I get a mechanic to do it in his shop? How many have done this before?
I guess the good thing about this is I found a corvette mechanic that has a 90 he is parting out so I could get the parts I need off of that.
Any suggestions on what I should look at? Help is needed and appreciated
As I said earlier I took off the old ball joints (upper) and put on replacements. The gap difference is gone, but my problem is not.
I have new shocks all around. I have new upper ball joints in the front. But my problem is still preventing me from being able to drive my vette
Im open to other suggestions. The only thing I have not checked out is the forward suspension spring. Could this be a problem?
Is this a hard thing to do in my garage at home or should I get a mechanic to do it in his shop? How many have done this before?
I guess the good thing about this is I found a corvette mechanic that has a 90 he is parting out so I could get the parts I need off of that.
Any suggestions on what I should look at? Help is needed and appreciated
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
One other suggestion for you to try. Mount the passenger front to the drivers side and the drivers to the passenger. Don't worry about directional tires at this point. With this done do you still have the clearance problem on the driver side of the suspension?