Control arm bushings

[69coronet440]

I am planning on changing out my control arm bushings. I havent taken the arms off yet and never have before so im not sure how it all goes together. I want to order all the bushings (upper and lower for both sides) Can someone tell me how many bushings I need for each side?

 

[69 Runner]

Two on the top, one on the bottom:HappyNewYear:

 

[69coronet440]

Thanks

 

[268RTs4ME]

You might should get ball joints also it will be hard to separate ball joint front control arms without messing up the boot,don't think you can get just rubber boot.

 

[69coronet440]

Yup, all the ball joints are getting replaced also

 

[69 Runner]

You know the uppers screw in.....right?

 

[MarPar]

Upper ball joint screws in??? :confused:

 

[69 Runner]

Yup. There is a special socket that is used (although they can be removed and reinstalled without it. There is actually THREE sizes of this socket. One for A bodies, one for B bodies (and later A's I think) and one for C bodies (or is it D bodies)

These don't have a traditional male/female thread setup, and it IS possible to strip out an A arm when installing one.

 

[69coronet440]

Yeah, I know the uppers screw into the A arm. I have seen the special socket they sell but im hoping to just use a big adjustable wrench.

Can anyone explain how to remove the lower control arms?

 

[268RTs4ME]

Be careful when You reenstall, it is easy to stip out control arm threads, clean them out real good with wire brush and wash out with carb cleaner, or brake cleaner, then lube a little.

 

[268RTs4ME]

This might help u a little

 

[Meep-Meep]

Loosen the torsion bar adjusters all the way and the nut at the pivot point that holds the LCA to the K member. Remove the T bars by sliding towards the rear of the car (remove snap ring first). You should be able to pry the LCA out of the K member.

 

[69coronet440]

Thanks for the pic. That really helps out. I had no idea the torsion bar had to be slid back but now it makes sense. Thanks for all the info guys. Hopefully all this work will be worth it.

 

[midnightrider1818]

the upper ball joints. what thread are those. right handedd

 

[skymynx]

Just did this exact thing this last weekend. This thread would have been nice at some point, but I was able to figure it all out. Anyone got an easier way to pull those stupid bushings.

 

[Crunchy_Frog]

For the lower control arm bushing, i used a propane torch to soften the rubber and pulled it out. Then I used an air chisel on the shell. If you have a welder, it's even easier.

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/tipstricks/155_0306_control_arms/index.html

For the uppers, it helps if you have the proper tools.