69 control arm finish

[Brad S.]

I have read in the archives about control arm finish. I know the arms are painted semi gloss black. Were the upper and lower shafts painted semi gloss as well. The JM says that the upper shafts were painted. What about the lower shafts? Were the bushings natural. Also does the rubber on the upper bushings protrude past the outer steel sleeve on NOS bushings? Thanks Brad

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 control arm finish

Brad-----

By 1969, I believe that the painting of the control arm shafts, both upper and lower, varied from painted to non-painted.

If the shafts on your car are original, I would carefully inspect them for any trace of black paint. If they were ever painted, there should be some trace of remaining paint. It might even be more apparent after you have removed the shafts from the arms and the bushings. If there is no trace of paint, at all, then I would assume that yours were originally natural.

As far as the upper bushings go, the 63-72 upper bushings were as you described. Sometime in the 1973 model year the style changed to the type with no rubber "collar" on the inner end. These also became SERVICE for all 1963-72 at about that time. Functionally, the 2 types are identical.