front control arm bushings: Replace?

[Joe T.]

I've got the front suspension (along with everything else) off the frame. The control arm bushings are all cracked around their perimeter, but under the washers, the rubber seems to have some life in it. Opinions please: Replace or leave them be? Also, should the cross shafts between the bushings turn free or turn at all? Right now, I can move them with a big wrench. According to the Service Manual, the cross shafts should turn freely with the installation of new bushings. I understand that the rubber can swell with age. Thanks...joe

[Joe L.]

Re: front control arm bushings: Replace?

I've got the front suspension (along with everything else) off the frame. The control arm bushings are all cracked around their perimeter, but under the washers, the rubber seems to have some life in it. Opinions please: Replace or leave them be? Also, should the cross shafts between the bushings turn free or turn at all? Right now, I can move them with a big wrench. According to the Service Manual, the cross shafts should turn freely with the installation of new bushings. I understand that the rubber can swell with age. Thanks...joe

Joe------


As long as you have the arms off, you'd be foolish not to replace the bushings no matter how old they were. The BIG efort in replacing these bushings, especially the lower bushings, is the work involved in getting the arms off the car. So, no question, replace them now. Use stock-type rubber.

Yes, the shafts should rotate freely in the bushings with the end retainers off or loose. Usually, they don't feel too "smooth", but they should rotate freely

[Joe T.]

Re: front control arm bushings: Replace?

Thanks, Joe. It seems like a foolish question, but they didn't seem bad. I was just wondering how far "they're only original once" really went. For a car this age and with 100k miles on it, these are probably just in the maintenance category anyway...Thanks again and regards...Jore

[Stephen L.]

Re: front control arm bushings: Replace?

A quick way to remove the bushings is to drill out the rubber using about a 1/4" drill. This allows the shaft to be removed and then the outer sleeve is accessible. I used a hacksaw to cut the outer sleeve (parallel to the shaft) so that I could bend it for easy removal. This is a lot "cleaner" than burning the rubber out.

[Joe L.]

Re: front control arm bushings: Replace?

Thanks, Joe. It seems like a foolish question, but they didn't seem bad. I was just wondering how far "they're only original once" really went. For a car this age and with 100k miles on it, these are probably just in the maintenance category anyway...Thanks again and regards...Jore

Joe------

Given the external deteriorated state of your bushings as you described, they are no longer "as-original" anyway. Plus, folks that would carry the banner of "exact originality" to a degree which includes the original a-arm bushings probably have Corvette restoration confused with religion so I don't think you need to be concerned about carrying it that far.

The upper a-arm bushings used for 1963-72 Corvettes were configured externally a little different than the 73-82 PRODUCTION bushings, also SERVICE for 63-72 for the last 30 years. However, you can obtain exact reproductions of the 63-72 bushings. No one will ever know the difference from the originals.

The lower a-arm bushings available today from GM and from many other sources are identical to the original bushings used for 63-82.

[Joe T.]

Re: front control arm bushings: Replace?

A quick way to remove the bushings is to drill out the rubber using about a 1/4" drill. This allows the shaft to be removed and then the outer sleeve is accessible. I used a hacksaw to cut the outer sleeve (parallel to the shaft) so that I could bend it for easy removal. This is a lot "cleaner" than burning the rubber out.

Thanks Stephen. If I read your description correctly, this eliminates the need to press them out and thus the risk of bending or distorting the control arm? If so, I LIKE your approach since these bushings seem to be well corroded into the arms.

[Joe T.]

Re: front control arm bushings: Replace?

Joe------

Given the external deteriorated state of your bushings as you described, they are no longer "as-original" anyway. Plus, folks that would carry the banner of "exact originality" to a degree which includes the original a-arm bushings probably have Corvette restoration confused with religion so I don't think you need to be concerned about carrying it that far.

The upper a-arm bushings used for 1963-72 Corvettes were configured externally a little different than the 73-82 PRODUCTION bushings, also SERVICE for 63-72 for the last 30 years. However, you can obtain exact reproductions of the 63-72 bushings. No one will ever know the difference from the originals.

The lower a-arm bushings available today from GM and from many other sources are identical to the original bushings used for 63-82.

Thanks Joe. I especially got a laugh out of your comment on confusing this hobby with religion . I try not to get carried away and thanks for the help and levity! I may never get this car finished, but I am enjoying working and making progress and sharing in this forum

[Terry M.]

Re: front control arm bushings: Replace?

You have received several good suggestions for R&R of the control arm bushings. Allow me to offer another.

I used to use an air hammer with a blunt chisel tip to "walk" the bushings out of the control arm. This is easily done if the inner sleeve of the bushing has not corroded to the shaft. If the sleeve is corroded to the shaft it will still work -- you just need a bigger air hammer. You will do more damage to your body than you will to the control arm. My arm was numb for a day or two after doing all four control arms (eight bushings) back when.

To install the new bushings one should use spacers to hold the control arm "ears" (where the bushings go into) in alignment while pressing or pulling the new well lubricated bushings into place. You can make a set of spacers from water pipe of the right diameter to fit over the control arm shaft. Cut to length before removing the bushings, and slit the pipe to make a "C" shape to slip it over the control arm shaft. You don't need a press if you cut short lengths of water pipe to press on the bushing, fit as a spacer (with a slot) to keep the "ears" spread, and another short length of water pipe slightly larger than the small end of the bushing. Use large washers and a fine thread rod to pull it all together. It is not as elegant as Kent Moore J-tools, but a whole lot less expensive and just as functional.

Mark the control arm shaft(s) to be sure you reinstall them in the same orientation. In some cases the orientation doesn't matter, and in others it does. I don't know which Corvettes are, but it is best to reinstall the same way they came out to eliminate potential issues.

I don't know if my words make the process sound as easy as it is. Getting the control arms, especially the lowers, off the car is the hardest part. Of course if you don't have a decent compressor and a good air hammer you are at the mercy of others. I kind of hate being at the mercy of others. This is a job that can be made easier by the help of Chapter members. Just another reason to belong to a Chapter.

[Joe T.]

Re: front control arm bushings: Replace?

Thanks, Terry. I was looking at the tools in the Service Manual and it looked like they could be fabricated from cold water (steel) pipe, and your description helps fill in a lot of the gaps. I would really rather do this job myself, since I have had too many bad experiences with farming work out and having my parts come back damaged. Example: I sent a rear spindle out just to have the outboard bearing pressed off. It came back with the threads so damaged, I had to send it out to a machine shop to have the end tapered so a die could be started. DRAT! Even more important is the satisfaction I get out of doing this stuff myself. I don't seem to realize my limitations until I get in too deep, but you all see me through that as well...Thanks and regards...joe

[Terry M.]

Re: front control arm bushings: Replace?

Joe if you are up to this (making these "tools") send me an email through the board. The ones I have are for full size Chevrolet, but they may be the same as Corvette -- or not. We can do some measuring.

[Joe L.]

Re: front control arm bushings: Replace?

Joe if you are up to this (making these "tools") send me an email through the board. The ones I have are for full size Chevrolet, but they may be the same as Corvette -- or not. We can do some measuring.

Terry------


The 1958-64 full size Chevrolet a-arms were essentially the same as 1963-82 Corvette. So, the tools should be the same.

1965+ full size Chevrolets were different. However, the same tools will work as those used for 1965 full size through at least about 1973 full size.

[Terry M.]

Re: front control arm bushings: Replace?

Terry------


The 1958-64 full size Chevrolet a-arms were essentially the same as 1963-82 Corvette. So, the tools should be the same.

1965+ full size Chevrolets were different. However, the same tools will work as those used for 1965 full size through at least about 1973 full size.

I sized these for the 1995 Caprice. I believe that chassis goes back to 1973, but as I told Joe T -- making some simple measurements will ensure success. At the minimum perhaps some pictures will assist him. Of course they look like a pile of junk, but they did work.

[Joe T.]

Re: front control arm bushings: Replace?

Terry/Joe: Thanks for the info. . I will email you when I get some time to compose a coherent email and send some pics on where i am at this point (I'll also hang them in the post). I don't have immediate access to an air chisel/hammer and I've become impatient to get this going. As for where I am and an interesting observation or two: I have the inner sleeve; rubber and cross arm out of the upper control arm. Some judicious drilling and cutting on the rubber and then some driving with a blunt screwdriver got me here. Not to bad so far.
Observation: The rubber between the inner and out sleeve was surprisingly supple and resilient, not all all cracked like the outside BUT!! when drilling and driving I saw a noticeable difference in the sides of the rubber bushing. They were definitely not centered. I can only conclude that this may be a normal state for a 40+ year old car/bushing, but I also concluded that is NOT the normal state for a new or properly functioning bushing. Note to self: "Self: Take nothing for granted". These bushings LOOKED OK, especially the condition of the rubber between the sleeves, but they were surely not right.
Thanks again gentlemen and I continue the effort. Next up: removing the lower bushings and cross shaft in prep for trying Terry's tools.. thanks-Stand-by!...joe

[Joe T.]

Re: front control arm bushings: Replace?

You have received several good suggestions for R&R of the control arm bushings. Allow me to offer another.

I used to use an air hammer with a blunt chisel tip to "walk" the bushings out of the control arm. This is easily done if the inner sleeve of the bushing has not corroded to the shaft. If the sleeve is corroded to the shaft it will still work -- you just need a bigger air hammer. You will do more damage to your body than you will to the control arm. My arm was numb for a day or two after doing all four control arms (eight bushings) back when.

To install the new bushings one should use spacers to hold the control arm "ears" (where the bushings go into) in alignment while pressing or pulling the new well lubricated bushings into place. You can make a set of spacers from water pipe of the right diameter to fit over the control arm shaft. Cut to length before removing the bushings, and slit the pipe to make a "C" shape to slip it over the control arm shaft. You don't need a press if you cut short lengths of water pipe to press on the bushing, fit as a spacer (with a slot) to keep the "ears" spread, and another short length of water pipe slightly larger than the small end of the bushing. Use large washers and a fine thread rod to pull it all together. It is not as elegant as Kent Moore J-tools, but a whole lot less expensive and just as functional.

Mark the control arm shaft(s) to be sure you reinstall them in the same orientation. In some cases the orientation doesn't matter, and in others it does. I don't know which Corvettes are, but it is best to reinstall the same way they came out to eliminate potential issues.

I don't know if my words make the process sound as easy as it is. Getting the control arms, especially the lowers, off the car is the hardest part. Of course if you don't have a decent compressor and a good air hammer you are at the mercy of others. I kind of hate being at the mercy of others. This is a job that can be made easier by the help of Chapter members. Just another reason to belong to a Chapter.

Mark the control arm shaft(s) to be sure you reinstall them in the same orientation. In some cases the orientation doesn't matter, and in others it does. I don't know which Corvettes are, but it is best to reinstall the same way they came out to eliminate potential issues.

Terry:
OH YEAH!! Thanks for this hint! I don't KNOW if it matters, but now I am sure it will go back the way it came apart!

[Joe L.]

Re: front control arm bushings: Replace?

Mark the control arm shaft(s) to be sure you reinstall them in the same orientation. In some cases the orientation doesn't matter, and in others it does. I don't know which Corvettes are, but it is best to reinstall the same way they came out to eliminate potential issues.

Terry:
OH YEAH!! Thanks for this hint! I don't KNOW if it matters, but now I am sure it will go back the way it came apart!

Joe-----


Orientation does not really matter for the UPPER control arm but if DEFINITELY matters for the LOWER control arm.