Upper/Lower Control Arm Questions

westie47 · Mar 2, 2020

I just dropped my front suspension to replace everything. My questions are, what should the upper control arm look like after the bushings are pressed out? Mine look like they have a sleeve, it’s hard to tell because everything is rusty.

My question about the lower control arms is how does the shaft come out? Is there a special tool or technique?

BLK 68 R/T · Mar 2, 2020

Some upper control arm bushings have a sleeve on the back...some don’t. Your in for some fun! I’d suggest watching some YouTube videos on bushing replacements if you’ve never done it before. Or get some help from someone who has. A welder and a press will be your friend. It can he done with hammers chisels and improvised press tools made from allthread and nuts and sockets.

Kern Dog · Mar 2, 2020

The lower control arm pin/shaft gets pressed out from the end that the torsion bar fits into. I have a machine shop do all of my press in/out work. They also leave the UCAs, LCAs in their solvent tank to clean them first. It is a nice gesture.
Your parts look normal to me.

Sparky Anderson · Mar 3, 2020

There's a youtube video that one of gravecaz guy did in showing u the easy way to remove the lower bushing. Yes BLK 68 R/T is right, best way is too watch youtube, much better then reading, a great tool, also u need a welder and a press to do the job or a friend that has.

JimCoronette · Mar 3, 2020

The incomparable Jim Lusk's vids:

Sparky Anderson · Mar 3, 2020

he's a link to Dave, mopar runs threw his veins.

ctreser · Mar 3, 2020

I got me a $100 press from Harbor Freight and a 1-3/8" tap off ebay for $13. It was a piece of cake. Then all you need to get the bushing off the pivot pin is a chisel and a vise.

BLK 68 R/T · Mar 3, 2020

I’ve never seen a tap used. Good idea

Rusty 72 · Mar 3, 2020

Yes that upper arm sleeve/sleeves needs to come out. Reference your new bushings for example.
I agree with whoever said it above about welding a washer to the LCA bushing that needs to come out also. I've used the hammer and chisel method on 2 different sets of LCA's and it was a PITA both times!

Upper/Lower Control Arm Questions

westie47

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BLK 68 R/T

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Kern Dog

Life is full of turns. Build your car to handle.

Sparky Anderson

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JimCoronette

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Sparky Anderson

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ctreser

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BLK 68 R/T

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Rusty 72

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