Control Arms/Front Suspension Questions...Help

[oxytousc]

Hey guys...I'm starting the rebuild on the front suspension. Have a couple of questions.

First on the LCAs. Can anyone confirm that the ball joints are press in? I know they pressed out, so I assume they're press in.

Second. How do I remove the cross shaft on the upper control arms? I have tubular arms from Firm Feel, but need the cross shaft from the stock arms.

Third: What bushing size is correct for the front shocks?

Help is greatly appreciated.

 

[WileE]

Ball joint is on the steering arm, not the LCA. What cross-shaft ? Just get a bushing kit from Mancini for the shocks.

 

[oxytousc]

The shaft is the pivot bar that runs between the two UCA bushings. Not sure how to remove/install it.

Also, anyone who's done the LCAs from PST, were you able to use the stock pivot shafts on the lowers? Or did it require new pivot shafts?

 

[Redhorse719]

Take the upper control arm off and clamp it in a vice and use an air hammer with a dull chisel on the flanged end of the bushing to drive it out. At that point you should be able to slide the upper shaft out. The lower ball joint is made on the steering arm and bolted to the spindle.

 

[Deleted member 214]

I'm confused. GM vehicles I've seen have a pivot bar. All Mopars with torsion bar suspensions have cam bolts, on on each end of the upper control arm. No pivot bar. The upper ball joint screws into the upper control arm and the top of the spindle has a hole that the ball joint stud goes into. The bushings for the upper control arm press in, not the ball joints. The lower ball joint bolts to the spindle with two bolts and the ball joint stub slides into a hole in the lower control arm. Am I wrong?

 

[Redhorse719]

I'm confused. GM vehicles I've seen have a pivot bar. All Mopars with torsion bar suspensions have cam bolts, on on each end of the upper control arm. No pivot bar. The upper ball joint screws into the upper control arm and the top of the spindle has a hole that the ball joint stud goes into. The bushings for the upper control arm press in, not the ball joints. The lower ball joint bolts to the spindle with two bolts and the ball joint stub slides into a hole in the lower control arm. Am I wrong?

You are absolutely right that there is no shaft in the upper control arm. Once it is off the tubular control arm can be installed with new bushings. Must have been brain fade or confusing this with an early Mustang upper control arm.:grin:

 

[oxytousc]

No, there is definitely a pivot shaft on the UCAs...it goes between the two UCA bushings.

 

[Redhorse719]

No, there is definitely a pivot shaft on the UCAs...it goes between the two UCA bushings.

What car are we working on?

 

[oxytousc]

What car are we working on?

1973 Satellite/Clone Runner

 

[Redhorse719]

No, there is definitely a pivot shaft on the UCAs...it goes between the two UCA bushings.

What you think is a shaft is really 2 bolts with off set washers under the head.

 

[oxytousc]

It's definitely a shaft.

 

[Crunchy_Frog]

It's definitely a shaft.

Yep. I would agree with you.

Looks like you need to remove the bushings to remove the bar. You may be able to use a torch to burn the rubber out, collapse the shell, and slide it through. You'll be left with a metal sleeve on the bar. Using a dremel with a cutting wheel on the sleeve will take care of that.

Find yourself the service manual and download the '73 parts catalog from mymopar.com

 

[Redhorse719]

It's definitely a shaft.
View attachment 21395

My apologies, but I guess I'm not familiar with that style UCA on a Mopar.:eusa_doh:

 

[Propwash]

My apologies, but I guess I'm not familiar with that style UCA on a Mopar.:eusa_doh:

I'm sorry Don........Christmas has been cancelled for you this year!!! LOL

Happens to everyone buddy

 

[Redhorse719]

Oh man! Not again. :black_eye:

 

[Deleted member 214]

I feel even stupider than usual. Sorry!