control arms R&R: upper studs, lower ubolts

[weq92f]

I've been hunting a bump/clunk sound now for a while and finally found it: the upper control arm bushings are bad.

I've torn it down most of the way as I wait for the MOOG ball joints and shaft kits to come in but now I'm thinking I should replace the shafts and ubolts.

What do you guys think? Its 95 bucks LMC delivered.

The rotors appear to be 72-77 or early 80s with the cool center groove. My understanding is that that these are original to the era and I intend to keep and use them if they are in spec. I'll have to replace the races and bearings though so I'm looking for some rotor identification so that I can find replacements and the proper set of bearings for them. The other question then is: what are the options for replacement? I think the parts houses carry them as the same part keeps coming up when I search through the year ranges above and it looks very similar to what I have. Where should I look for originals?

[Orange67]

Be careful who you order the shafts from. I think I got mine from either PST or LMC, and the locating hole for the bottom shafts were off by an inch, which I didn't notice until I took it in for alignment. Basically my caster is completely off.

[Ben_Yeaton]

Originally Posted by Orange67

Be careful who you order the shafts from. I think I got mine from either PST or LMC, and the locating hole for the bottom shafts were off by an inch, which I didn't notice until I took it in for alignment. Basically my caster is completely off.

That sounds great actually. Lots of guys redrill their cross shafts with the holes an inch back, so the LCA sits forward in the cradle. This gives the geometry the 7* or so of caster that is desired, compared to the 2* stock. Did yours install the opposite direction?

[Orange67]

I believe so. Truck has zero "center" feel, literally thought I had installed the center link backwards... But nope. Hopefully soon I can tear it back apart. I've got some shafts that were on a GMC I got my front disc setup off of that were in great condition.

[Ben_Yeaton]

Originally Posted by Orange67

I believe so. Truck has zero "center" feel, literally thought I had installed the center link backwards... But nope. Hopefully soon I can tear it back apart. I've got some shafts that were on a GMC I got my front disc setup off of that were in great condition.

Can you not install them flipped so the holes are offset the other direction and be OK?

[Orange67]

Originally Posted by Ben_Yeaton

Can you not install them flipped so the holes are offset the other direction and be OK?

Unfortunately, no. The pin is at the front end of the shaft, towards the front end of the cross member. They only go on one way.

[weq92f]

Anybody have input on the original questions:

Replace lower ubolts/nuts and upper studs for mounting A-arms?

Replacement rotor options?

thanks,

-klb

[Grumpy old man]

Upgrade to the 9/16 u-bolts about $8.00 each side and the upper control arm bushing kits run about $25.00 each and you should be able to get them from your local parts store . a quick check showed auto zone has them in stock . always check your local parts house before having anything shipped that way if there is a problem it's an easy face to face fix .

[weq92f]

The deed is done. Upper and lower arm shafts, bushings and seals all replaced. Ended up just reusing the u-bolts/nuts and the upper studs.

New ball joints all around too.

Went to major parts houses and did not find the 9/16 u-bolt upgrade items: HELP part#13503... so just used what I had, including the nuts and washers.

Now I need to put everything back together... springs, spindles, shocks, brakes and sway bar.

-klb

[Orange67]

I do apologize for hijacking your thread. I really was only trying to be helpful. I hope your cross shafts work out, please post what company you picked them up from. I may be wrong, but the upgrade u bolts might be 3/4 ton. Good luck bud.

[HO455]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

Upgrade to the 9/16 u-bolts about $8.00 each side and the upper control arm bushing kits run about $25.00 each and you should be able to get them from your local parts store . a quick check showed auto zone has them in stock . always check your local parts house before having anything shipped that way if there is a problem it's an easy face to face fix .

Can someone explain the need to change the u-bolts to 9/16"?
Thanks.

[Grumpy old man]

your right on the part # 13503 they measure 1/2 in and use a 7/8 nut ,

http://www.autozone.com/suspension-s...olt/439093_0_0

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...8LITZ6gg%3D%3D

http://www.partsgeek.com/ss/?i=1&ssq...3503&x=22&y=10

http://www.rockauto.com/en/partsearch/?partnum=13503

[Grumpy old man]

Originally Posted by HO455

Can someone explain the need to change the u-bolts to 9/16"?
Thanks.

my mistake they are 1/2 thick ubolts , heavier than stock, just an upgrade and why not upgrade to new heavier bolts rather than re use 50 year old suspension parts that have been known to break ? If your rebuilding your front end whats another $20.00 and peace of mind ?

[HO455]

I'm not sure I'd trust new Chinese bolts more than old GM bolts. Especially since I've never encountered a broken one. But each to his/her own.

[BCOWANWHEELS]

with almost a million miles on my truck I,ve never had a problem with stock u-bolts

[midniteblues]

The earlier u bolts were a smaller diameter than the later years I don't recall what year they were changed.

You certainly don't want to experience a broken one going at any speed.
this happened on a friends 67 and it wasn't nice.

U bolts get stretched when torqued. It's not hard too stress one that's been removed and tightened a few times.

It only requires drilling the holes out slightly larger for that small peice of mind.

[weq92f]

Originally Posted by Orange67

I do apologize for hijacking your thread. I really was only trying to be helpful.

No worries!

For reference, all the parts were purchased from RockAuto and all were MOOG.

I should have it done this weekend and be able to report whether my "clunk" is completely gone.

-kb

[weq92f]

Shoot, ordered the wrong upper ball joints and maybe the lowers too.

The ECE spindle is supposed to ~match~ your year model ball joints, but only for disk brake equipped trucks. This I did not know so the uppers I got were for a 1967 with drum brakes. What I needed was 1971 or 1972 upper ball joints.

Looks like the lowers are also different between my '67 and the '72 which has got me all worried that those are wrong too.

Guess I'll be on the line with ECE on Monday to straighten this out, but I've definitely burned up some cash here, maybe a cool 100 bucks if they're all wrong because they are installed on the truck already.

ECE drop spindle: A258.

-klb

[weq92f]

Turns out the A-258 on the spindle is nothing more than a casting number that apparently has no correlation to the part details.

Bottom line...All the ball joints I ordered were not correct. I've got upper/lower ball joints for both sides for 67 that I can't use and can't return

130 bucks for the correct parts, which are now on the way. The truck will have to wait till next weekend before going back together.

-klb