|
Front lower control arm bushings |
Post Reply 
|
| Author | |
1973gts 
Senior Member 
Joined: 05-March-2018 Location: Grand Rapids Mi Status: Offline Points: 614 |
 Post Options
 Thanks(0)
 Quote Reply
 Topic: Front lower control arm bushingsPosted: 31-March-2019 at 9:41AM |
|
I installed poly bushings in my front lower control arms.However when I began installing the control arms the bushing is longer than the gap between the sides of the crossmember. Anyone else experience this and have a method to get them in? There are reinforcing pieces on the insides of the crossmember by the bolt hole that the bushing won't clear. Thanks - dave
Edited by 1973gts - 01-April-2019 at 5:58AM |
|
|
Dave - 1973 GTS N code
|
|
 |
|
|
1973gts
Senior Member
Joined: 05-March-2018 Location: Grand Rapids Mi Status: Offline Points: 614 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 31-March-2019 at 10:02AM |
|
Also the bushings I have are about 1/4 inch longer than the metal sleeve that came with them, the sleeve would fit but the bushings are too wide
|
|
|
Dave - 1973 GTS N code
|
|
|
|
|
californiajohnny
Moderator Group 
Joined: 05-October-2013 Location: winlock, wa Status: Offline Points: 14609 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 31-March-2019 at 10:23AM |
|
hmmm mine were difficult to get in mostly the passenger side but then that was tweaked due to the cross member was damaged. but 1/4"????
|
|
|
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
|
|
|
|
1973gts
Senior Member
Joined: 05-March-2018 Location: Grand Rapids Mi Status: Offline Points: 614 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 31-March-2019 at 10:26AM |
|
I am wondering if I can just trim back the skinny end of the bushing so it is flush with the end of the sleeve, is the bushing supposed to stick out past the sleeve? The bushings were PST 43111
Edited by 1973gts - 31-March-2019 at 10:27AM |
|
|
Dave - 1973 GTS N code
|
|
|
|
|
Rockatansky
Senior Member
Joined: 30-July-2010 Location: On The Road Status: Offline Points: 6072 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 31-March-2019 at 10:30AM |
|
i would think everything should meet in the middle? the skinny inside should touch and the flanges you see on the outside should shoulder on the control arm, no gap. can you take / send pics to the seller and ask if they're right? post them up here too
|
|
|
72 GT Ute
|
|
|
|
|
1973gts
Senior Member
Joined: 05-March-2018 Location: Grand Rapids Mi Status: Offline Points: 614 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 31-March-2019 at 10:42AM |
 
|
|
|
Dave - 1973 GTS N code
|
|
|
|
|
Rockatansky
Senior Member
Joined: 30-July-2010 Location: On The Road Status: Offline Points: 6072 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 31-March-2019 at 11:03AM |
|
is the metal sleeve the correct length to fit snug in the frame?
|
|
|
72 GT Ute
|
|
|
|
|
1973gts
Senior Member
Joined: 05-March-2018 Location: Grand Rapids Mi Status: Offline Points: 614 |
Post Options
Thanks(1)
Quote Reply
Posted: 31-March-2019 at 11:19AM |
|
It appears to be, the gap at the end of the bushing is about equal to the amount the bushing is too long and I remember comparing the new sleeves with the old ones and they were the same length.
|
|
|
Dave - 1973 GTS N code
|
|
|
|
|
californiajohnny
Moderator Group
Joined: 05-October-2013 Location: winlock, wa Status: Offline Points: 14609 |
Post Options
Thanks(1)
Quote Reply
Posted: 31-March-2019 at 11:56AM |
|
the sleeve should fit in the opening no more than a few thousands shorter
|
|
|
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
|
|
|
|
californiajohnny
Moderator Group
Joined: 05-October-2013 Location: winlock, wa Status: Offline Points: 14609 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 31-March-2019 at 11:59AM |
|
the bushing does stick out from the arm/shell but check the inner sleeve in where it goes and check with the original inner sleeve too
|
|
|
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
|
|
|
|
1973gts
Senior Member
Joined: 05-March-2018 Location: Grand Rapids Mi Status: Offline Points: 614 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 31-March-2019 at 2:02PM |
|
I think I am just going to trim back the overlap and try it that way, I am in somewhat of a time crunch because my body guy wants the car back at the end of the week to finish the front end and paint. If I have to replace them later I will do that but I am hoping that the bushing will be snug enough. The inner sleeves are the same length as the old ones so hopefully it will work.
|
|
|
Dave - 1973 GTS N code
|
|
|
|
|
californiajohnny
Moderator Group
Joined: 05-October-2013 Location: winlock, wa Status: Offline Points: 14609 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 31-March-2019 at 4:55PM |
|
trim it off the small end? check that the arm is mostly centered in the opening so it can't rub
Edited by californiajohnny - 31-March-2019 at 4:57PM |
|
|
JOHN
74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION |
|
|
|
|
72GTS351CJ
Senior Member
Joined: 30-November-2010 Location: NY Status: Offline Points: 1481 |
Post Options
Thanks(1)
Quote Reply
Posted: 01-April-2019 at 12:20AM |
|
I had the same issue. I trimmed a bit off. Worked fine
|
|
|
72GTS Clint Eastwood Special
|
|
|
|
|
fordismyboss
Senior Member
Joined: 05-January-2014 Location: SF Bay Area Status: Offline Points: 397 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 01-April-2019 at 3:54AM |
|
Yes, trim it flush with the steel bolt collar. If you don't, the extra length will sheer off when jacked into place and you'll be digging the pieces out of the bolt hole! And....put sticky grease everywhere!
|
|
|
|
|
1973gts
Senior Member
Joined: 05-March-2018 Location: Grand Rapids Mi Status: Offline Points: 614 |
Post Options
Thanks(0)
Quote Reply
Posted: 01-April-2019 at 6:05AM |
|
I trimmed them as suggested with just a little excess and with a little sweet talk got them in. They are nice and snug and appear to be centered. I also have an email to the company to see if this is a mix-up on the part or if this is common. Thanks to all for the suggestions - Dave
|
|
|
Dave - 1973 GTS N code
|
|
|
|
|
Post Reply
|
|
| Tweet |
| Forum Jump | Forum Permissions You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot create polls in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum |
Topic Options