How hard to change control arm bushings?
 

I know its something I can do myself, but is it a real pain in the ass? Or should I just hold off, and do the disc-brake conversion at the same time later on and put new bushings into the new style arms I will be installing?

The reason I ask, is because the uppers are shot, and I won't be doing the disc brake thing for awhile yet.

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Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada

1970 Chevy C20 Custom Camper
#s matching 402BB Turbo 400 trans.
Air conditioning, power steering, manual brakes.
73,600 Original Miles!!
(Add on 2000 more from raod trip!)

See if this helps
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/board/ub...ML/000007.html

Chances are that bushings wont take up all the slop,you need to do shafts also. On you C20,they should be steel bushings through 80 something. The balljoints, & tie rods should work 71-86 or 87(3/4 ton). If you are converting to 1/2 ton,73 up had rubber bushings. Good luck...69 longhorn.

Hey 69 Longhorn, so are you saying that the 3/4 tons had steel bushings, and the 1/2 tons had rubber bushings? I didn't know that.

If thats the case, the shafts will be shot as well, because there is quite a bit of slop in the uppers. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/board/ubbhtml/frown.gif

The 1/2 tons had steel bushings till 73,then they went to rubber. You can use your original a arms,& all the later ball joints will fit when you do the disc conversion. The only trouble that you will have is a mod to the steering stop on the lower arm to get the full turning radius. You will also have to change tie rod assys,& possibly the center link to the 71-up pcs when you swap to disc.......69 longhorn.

Thats good news. So basically, I just need the newer spindles, calipers, and steering parts. So I SHOULD just change my upper bushings/arms and be done with it, as I can re-use my current arms. (upper and lower)

Thanks!
Reid

If the shafts & bushings are really loose,I would go ahead & do them.....just remember that the ball joints & tie rods are different from 70 to 71. if you run into problems there,it would be more economical to go ahead with the disc swap....69 longhorn.

Ya, I can see that. I originally thought I would have to change the upper and lower control arms to the new style to do the disc brake swap. But seeing that I can reuse them, I will go ahead with just changing the bushings for now. Then once I find a pair of spindles, I will go ahead and change out the ball joints at that time.

Thanks for the help.
Reid

What is the tolerence supposed to be on bushings? mine has about 20 thousands play I have seen complete control arm assenbly for about 50 bucks

Not sure, but I think if you can actually see it move its going to fail an inspection.

Mine moves about 1/4 inch. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/board/ubbhtml/smile.gif

Hey Reid I just sent you some phone #'s Via Email. Let me know if you don't get them.

Curtis

Got em. Thanks!

I'm going to try calling some right now.

Reid