gto control arm bushings
timmypope
08-05-2005, 10:13 PM
How difficult is it to replace the front upper and lower control
arm bushings on a 70 gto? Any help or advice on the best way
to do this will be greatly appreciated.
arm bushings on a 70 gto? Any help or advice on the best way
to do this will be greatly appreciated.
ramairgto72
08-06-2005, 02:33 AM
I have been down this road, so I can help you. Don't do it yourself..........
You may have round and oval, or round and round on the bottom control arms, so you will have to look and see what you have before you order a set.
The have to be pressed in, both the top and bottom ones are pressed in units. If you look at the lower control arm its a "stamped steel" unit, and the bushings on the lower control arm is supported in 2 places, once as the bushing enters, then a space then the end of the bushing slips in and is supported at the othr end.
You can do it yourself, with a press, but you have to get a "C" shaped steel stock and put it in place supporting the to "hole openings" if you don't use do this, the press will bend the control arm as the bushing is pressed in.
Pictures a "C" if you try to press a bushing in the open part of the "C" will bend to the other end of the "C" makeing more of a "V".
Removing them is not to hard if you burn out the rubber first then use a hammer to bang them out.
It's just not worth it to do it yourself, unless you really want to.
On top of that you will have to remove the spring and shock, and if your going to do that do the ball joints as well.
If I was to do it over again I would find a set of upper and lower A body arms allready off a car, have the stuff done at a shop, i'm sure it will be $100s less if you walk in with the units in hand. This way you can clen them up and after you get new ball joints put in, you can paint the arms and even go as far as useing B body spindles with that trick aftermarket balljoint.
Doing this job is not a "light" job, you have to mess with a spring that can take your head off.
If you have any more questions I will try to answer the best I can.
Have any pictures of your car?
You may have round and oval, or round and round on the bottom control arms, so you will have to look and see what you have before you order a set.
The have to be pressed in, both the top and bottom ones are pressed in units. If you look at the lower control arm its a "stamped steel" unit, and the bushings on the lower control arm is supported in 2 places, once as the bushing enters, then a space then the end of the bushing slips in and is supported at the othr end.
You can do it yourself, with a press, but you have to get a "C" shaped steel stock and put it in place supporting the to "hole openings" if you don't use do this, the press will bend the control arm as the bushing is pressed in.
Pictures a "C" if you try to press a bushing in the open part of the "C" will bend to the other end of the "C" makeing more of a "V".
Removing them is not to hard if you burn out the rubber first then use a hammer to bang them out.
It's just not worth it to do it yourself, unless you really want to.
On top of that you will have to remove the spring and shock, and if your going to do that do the ball joints as well.
If I was to do it over again I would find a set of upper and lower A body arms allready off a car, have the stuff done at a shop, i'm sure it will be $100s less if you walk in with the units in hand. This way you can clen them up and after you get new ball joints put in, you can paint the arms and even go as far as useing B body spindles with that trick aftermarket balljoint.
Doing this job is not a "light" job, you have to mess with a spring that can take your head off.
If you have any more questions I will try to answer the best I can.
Have any pictures of your car?
ctesla
08-09-2005, 06:59 PM
I agree with RamAir, buy the parts, and find a shop to do it for you.
I have my own shop, and I would still farm this one out. it is nice being able to say, "I did this myself" and all that if you want...
...but no shame in saying, "naw, I paid to have someone ELSE do that!"
I have my own shop, and I would still farm this one out. it is nice being able to say, "I did this myself" and all that if you want...
...but no shame in saying, "naw, I paid to have someone ELSE do that!"
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