Upper control arm help please, I've got a mess....

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idrift

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Been tearing into my suspension and found someone hacked together
some things which is not a surprise I guess considering all the other crap
I've been dealing with....

So on the drivers side it looks like the bushing was loose so they pressed
on a sleeve to hold it in place. Is this common practice? I can't get the damn
thing off, I'm going to have to cut it. The bushing spins in the arm but is
tight as hell in the sleeve. Do I need a new arm now? Can you even get
one anymore?

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No I've found those on some Mopars. I'm doing a 67 383 GTS right now and the upper A-arms had those on one bushing per side. If you use an air chiesel with a punch tip from the inside out the bushing sheell will come out and that little sleeve will fall ff. I just did that to mine this past Saturday.
 
SGBARRACUDA said:
No I've found those on some Mopars. I'm doing a 67 383 GTS right now and the upper A-arms had those on one bushing per side. If you use an air chiesel with a punch tip from the inside out the bushing sheell will come out and that little sleeve will fall ff. I just did that to mine this past Saturday.
Click to expand...

So I have it off now, but it seems like the bushing will be looser than the
other side. Do I need to make a sleeve and press it back on now? Is there
a fix to tighten the bushing up in the arm? I could get it spray welded maybe.
 
idrift said:
So I have it off now, but it seems like the bushing will be looser than the
other side. Do I need to make a sleeve and press it back on now? Is there
a fix to tighten the bushing up in the arm? I could get it spray welded maybe.
Click to expand...

What year are you working on? If its a pre 72, they are plentiful and I would just get another one. I have a few if that helps. ----Roy
 
Its a 70 swinger 340. I haven't taken the passengers side off yet....

What do these go for? Do you make and press a sleeve back on them?
 
idrift said:
Its a 70 swinger 340. I haven't taken the passengers side off yet....

What do these go for? Do you make and press a sleeve back on them?
Click to expand...

Normally I do not replace the sleeve, I think but not possitive they used that little sleeve when the bushing was to loose in the control arm from the factory. Check the other side and see if it is ok then let me know. Probably 20.00 per side.
 
Yea, this has been fun.... Oh the last guy that had it evidently saw no need
for cotter pins in the castle nuts for the ball joints.... gee I didnt even need
a puller to remove them ;-0
 
In my 54 years, I have seen some crap that makes me scratch my head and say what the hell was someone thinking?
 
I agree, my first clue was the bolt for the control arm didn't have
the cam on it, it was a regular bolt......bet that holds adjustment
well.

How tight do the shells need to be in the arm to work ok?
 
Guys,

While we're on the subject I replaced my ball joints in the upper control arms. The old ones came out hard. They were the spline type that kind of bite into the control arm. The new ones sort of have tapered concentric ridges. They press in ok but don't stay with weight of the car on them. Seem like they should have been made with a spanner nut or something. I can't find new control arms. (Don't want used because I think I'll have the same problem.) Do people tack weld them in place or something?

CG
 
CGDust1974 said:
Guys,

While we're on the subject I replaced my ball joints in the upper control arms. The old ones came out hard. They were the spline type that kind of bite into the control arm. The new ones sort of have tapered concentric ridges. They press in ok but don't stay with weight of the car on them. Seem like they should have been made with a spanner nut or something. I can't find new control arms. (Don't want used because I think I'll have the same problem.) Do people tack weld them in place or something?

CG
Click to expand...

They are not suppose to press out, they are threaded and turn counterclockwise to remove. At this point, yes you can weld them in or replace the A-arms.
 
Thanks. Haynes screwed me pretty good then. It says they are splined in place and to press them out. Oh well, live and learn right? You know of a good source for replacement control arms?
 
CGDust1974 said:
Thanks. Haynes screwed me pretty good then. It says they are splined in place and to press them out. Oh well, live and learn right? You know of a good source for replacement control arms?
Click to expand...

Turners auto wrecking fresno 559 237-0918 ask for Jerry if he aint the one greeting you on the phone.
 
1wild&crazyguy said:
Turners auto wrecking fresno 559 237-0918 ask for Jerry if he aint the one greeting you on the phone.
Click to expand...
Thanks,

I have a wrecking yard here that has a 71 duster. You know if the upper control arms were the same on those as on 74s?
 
Its likely been 20years since I replaced one of those.
I can't remember... One per side right? and are they on the front or rear bushing?
I guess $20.00 for a new pair isn't too nuts.
 
I just finished doing what you just did to your upper control arms. the ones I got from PST pressed right in with no problem and didn't need any sleeves. the previous Owner did press out the upper ball joint in my passenger side (good lord) so I just beadedit and had my mechanic friend redo the threads
 
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