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Can the upper inner control arm bushings be replaced without removing the springs? Just the bushings, and just 1 at a time. I'd leave the existing shaft in place.
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Re: C1 Front Suspension Question
Chris, If you raise the car and place a jackstand under the outermost part of the lower control arm, the weight of the car will still keep the spring well compressed. Replacing the bushings one at a time will be no problem. Keep in mind that the caster angle is a function of the fore and aft location of the upper inner bushings and the upper outer adjustable pin. The inner bushings could be started 1/2 thread different from the ones you remove - in which case a front end alignment will correct the situation. The ST-12 has good info on this. Steve -
Re: C1 Front Suspension Question
Chris, If you raise the car and place a jackstand under the outermost part of the lower control arm, the weight of the car will still keep the spring well compressed. Replacing the bushings one at a time will be no problem. Keep in mind that the caster angle is a function of the fore and aft location of the upper inner bushings and the upper outer adjustable pin. The inner bushings could be started 1/2 thread different from the ones you remove - in which case a front end alignment will correct the situation. The ST-12 has good info on this. SteveComment
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Re: C1 Front Suspension Question
According to the Corvette Servicing Guide the car should be supported under the outer end of the lower control arm. This allows the the bushings to be removed from the upper control arm outer pivot. This allows the steering knuckle support to be disconnected from the upper control arm. The spring is not removed. The next step is to remove the inner bushings. It seems logical that if the car were supported by the lower arms, the bushings you want to replace could then be removed one at a time (without removing the steering knuckle support)and replaced. The seals between the bushings and the coil housing could be cut off but it may be very difficult to get the new seals through the hole in the upper control arm. You might have to leave the old seals on.
I have never tried replacing the bushings by this method, maybe someone else has and will respond. Hope it works for you.
DennyComment
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Re: C1 Front Suspension Question
According to the Corvette Servicing Guide the car should be supported under the outer end of the lower control arm. This allows the the bushings to be removed from the upper control arm outer pivot. This allows the steering knuckle support to be disconnected from the upper control arm. The spring is not removed. The next step is to remove the inner bushings. It seems logical that if the car were supported by the lower arms, the bushings you want to replace could then be removed one at a time (without removing the steering knuckle support)and replaced. The seals between the bushings and the coil housing could be cut off but it may be very difficult to get the new seals through the hole in the upper control arm. You might have to leave the old seals on.
I have never tried replacing the bushings by this method, maybe someone else has and will respond. Hope it works for you.
DennyComment
Comment