Control Arm Install
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 706
Likes: 56
From: Houston TX
Control Arm Install
Hey Corvette Forum,
I plan to install Delrin control arm bushings this winter. While there are plenty of threads and videos of installing the bushings themselves, I can't find very much information on removing and re-installing the control arms themselves. Is it pretty straight forward? Worth attempting for a somewhat novice wrencher on jack stands? (was a lube-tech in college and have installed simple bolt-ons on this car). I have seen one video on youtube covering a C5 which is probably similar but have read some odd issues here on corvette forum. Saw someone needed to remove exhaust manifold or cut out a front upper control arm bolt, C6zs have some collar you have to cut off. Have a friend with a hydraulic press that can assist with the bushing install so not too worried about that part.
I am looking to see if anybody has a write-up on the r&r of the control arms for a C6 corvette or can give any tips/advice on issues they ran into.
Thanks in advance, look forward to hitting the track more in 2021.
I plan to install Delrin control arm bushings this winter. While there are plenty of threads and videos of installing the bushings themselves, I can't find very much information on removing and re-installing the control arms themselves. Is it pretty straight forward? Worth attempting for a somewhat novice wrencher on jack stands? (was a lube-tech in college and have installed simple bolt-ons on this car). I have seen one video on youtube covering a C5 which is probably similar but have read some odd issues here on corvette forum. Saw someone needed to remove exhaust manifold or cut out a front upper control arm bolt, C6zs have some collar you have to cut off. Have a friend with a hydraulic press that can assist with the bushing install so not too worried about that part.
I am looking to see if anybody has a write-up on the r&r of the control arms for a C6 corvette or can give any tips/advice on issues they ran into.
Thanks in advance, look forward to hitting the track more in 2021.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 1,457
Likes: 657
From: DFW Texas
Hey Corvette Forum,
I plan to install Delrin control arm bushings this winter. While there are plenty of threads and videos of installing the bushings themselves, I can't find very much information on removing and re-installing the control arms themselves. Is it pretty straight forward? Worth attempting for a somewhat novice wrencher on jack stands? (was a lube-tech in college and have installed simple bolt-ons on this car). I have seen one video on youtube covering a C5 which is probably similar but have read some odd issues here on corvette forum. Saw someone needed to remove exhaust manifold or cut out a front upper control arm bolt, C6zs have some collar you have to cut off. Have a friend with a hydraulic press that can assist with the bushing install so not too worried about that part.
I am looking to see if anybody has a write-up on the r&r of the control arms for a C6 corvette or can give any tips/advice on issues they ran into.
Thanks in advance, look forward to hitting the track more in 2021.
I plan to install Delrin control arm bushings this winter. While there are plenty of threads and videos of installing the bushings themselves, I can't find very much information on removing and re-installing the control arms themselves. Is it pretty straight forward? Worth attempting for a somewhat novice wrencher on jack stands? (was a lube-tech in college and have installed simple bolt-ons on this car). I have seen one video on youtube covering a C5 which is probably similar but have read some odd issues here on corvette forum. Saw someone needed to remove exhaust manifold or cut out a front upper control arm bolt, C6zs have some collar you have to cut off. Have a friend with a hydraulic press that can assist with the bushing install so not too worried about that part.
I am looking to see if anybody has a write-up on the r&r of the control arms for a C6 corvette or can give any tips/advice on issues they ran into.
Thanks in advance, look forward to hitting the track more in 2021.
Biggest PITA is separating the ball joints from the spindle. Heat is your best friend on that one just be careful not to burn the boots when heating up the spindle.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,627
Front upper control arms.
When you remove the bolts that hold them to the inner fender wall/frame brackets, going to find washers (spacer stacks) stacked between the rod ends and the fender inner wall as you remove the bolts. Keep the washer stacked together per location, and make where they go back in in the same spots when you are reinstalliing the upper front A arms back.
When you remove the bolts that hold them to the inner fender wall/frame brackets, going to find washers (spacer stacks) stacked between the rod ends and the fender inner wall as you remove the bolts. Keep the washer stacked together per location, and make where they go back in in the same spots when you are reinstalliing the upper front A arms back.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 706
Likes: 56
From: Houston TX
What are people using on the axle splines when re-installing? Cannot find a clear answer. Small amout of axle grease? White Lithium? Dry? Never had any clicking, just want to re-install correctly.
Thanks
Thanks
thing knower
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,404
Likes: 942
From: wpb
i did this by the manual and it did not mention any sort of lube on the splines....
its fairly straight forward as you'd think.... i found there were 4x washers per each UCA on my z06...
i swapped out my eccentrics with the amt camber kit... really killer stuff!!
-drew
its fairly straight forward as you'd think.... i found there were 4x washers per each UCA on my z06...
i swapped out my eccentrics with the amt camber kit... really killer stuff!!
-drew
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 706
Likes: 56
From: Houston TX
Getting it all back together now. I could not for the life of me get that thing to open wide enough, for the lowers at least. Got them free with a different tool with teeth to grab onto the ball joint and not interfere with the boot.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,197
Likes: 35
From: wylie texas
i put the tools "finger" on the top of one of the sides of the the ball joint nut that was unscrewed about 1/8" above control arm surface.
both lowers front and back popped loose that way
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,454
Likes: 325
From: Houston TX
Please let us know how you like the Delrin bushings after driving for a while. Whose are they?
Last edited by PCMusicGuy; Jan 14, 2021 at 10:09 PM.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 320
Likes: 74
From: Chandler AZ
I have a similar ball joint popper to the one pictured above and it works fine for the uppers, but not wide enough for the lowers. Just ordered another one for ~$60 that should fit. Will post up when I get it next week.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 706
Likes: 56
From: Houston TX
Yes, those tools suck a lot. I tried the rental tool at Autozone and it was also a failure. If I ever have to do this again I will buy the GM tool or one just like it. Luckily for me, I was replacing my control arms and spindles with new so I used a bug hammer and a pickle fork.
Please let us know how you like the Delrin bushings after driving for a while. Whose are they?
Please let us know how you like the Delrin bushings after driving for a while. Whose are they?
Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 117
From: San Angelo TX
Thanks for the support! Shoot me an email or give me a call if you have any questions during the install.
__________________
Borg Motorsports
www.borgmotorsports.com
---
Lane Borg - Owner
lane@borgmotorsports.com
2012 AS Solo National Champion
2014 BS ProSolo and Solo National Champion
Borg Motorsports
www.borgmotorsports.com
---
Lane Borg - Owner
lane@borgmotorsports.com
2012 AS Solo National Champion
2014 BS ProSolo and Solo National Champion
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 320
Likes: 74
From: Chandler AZ
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 706
Likes: 56
From: Houston TX
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 706
Likes: 56
From: Houston TX
Completed the install over the weekend and had it aligned today. Overall was not too bad if you take your time (And don't snap an eccentric bolt).
I went with the Borg Motorsports 100AF Premium Delrin bushings. I use the car for Autocross and HPDE, still a beginner, and about 50% of the time on the street. I've only driven it a couple of days now but so far the ride feels so much better. I have noticed ZERO increase in NVH (Noise, vibration, harshness). Not a single squeak. The car just feels more crisp and firm; more connected to the road. You can feel small cracks or reflectors in the road more, but not in a harsh way. My old bushings were not shot in anyway, I've just been eyeing these for a while and with the Black Friday deal, I couldn't pass them up. I would recommend these to any C5/6/7 owners, not just those who intend to track their car.
Removed one washer from each dog-bone bolt and was able to achieve -2.3 degrees F and -1.3 R camber and went with a smidge toe in in the front, zero in the rear.
I went with the Borg Motorsports 100AF Premium Delrin bushings. I use the car for Autocross and HPDE, still a beginner, and about 50% of the time on the street. I've only driven it a couple of days now but so far the ride feels so much better. I have noticed ZERO increase in NVH (Noise, vibration, harshness). Not a single squeak. The car just feels more crisp and firm; more connected to the road. You can feel small cracks or reflectors in the road more, but not in a harsh way. My old bushings were not shot in anyway, I've just been eyeing these for a while and with the Black Friday deal, I couldn't pass them up. I would recommend these to any C5/6/7 owners, not just those who intend to track their car.
Removed one washer from each dog-bone bolt and was able to achieve -2.3 degrees F and -1.3 R camber and went with a smidge toe in in the front, zero in the rear.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,595
Likes: 117
From: San Angelo TX
Completed the install over the weekend and had it aligned today. Overall was not too bad if you take your time (And don't snap an eccentric bolt).
I went with the Borg Motorsports 100AF Premium Delrin bushings. I use the car for Autocross and HPDE, still a beginner, and about 50% of the time on the street. I've only driven it a couple of days now but so far the ride feels so much better. I have noticed ZERO increase in NVH (Noise, vibration, harshness). Not a single squeak. The car just feels more crisp and firm; more connected to the road. You can feel small cracks or reflectors in the road more, but not in a harsh way. My old bushings were not shot in anyway, I've just been eyeing these for a while and with the Black Friday deal, I couldn't pass them up. I would recommend these to any C5/6/7 owners, not just those who intend to track their car.
Removed one washer from each dog-bone bolt and was able to achieve -2.3 degrees F and -1.3 R camber and went with a smidge toe in in the front, zero in the rear.
I went with the Borg Motorsports 100AF Premium Delrin bushings. I use the car for Autocross and HPDE, still a beginner, and about 50% of the time on the street. I've only driven it a couple of days now but so far the ride feels so much better. I have noticed ZERO increase in NVH (Noise, vibration, harshness). Not a single squeak. The car just feels more crisp and firm; more connected to the road. You can feel small cracks or reflectors in the road more, but not in a harsh way. My old bushings were not shot in anyway, I've just been eyeing these for a while and with the Black Friday deal, I couldn't pass them up. I would recommend these to any C5/6/7 owners, not just those who intend to track their car.
Removed one washer from each dog-bone bolt and was able to achieve -2.3 degrees F and -1.3 R camber and went with a smidge toe in in the front, zero in the rear.
