Broken Grease Fitting - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**COBALT** · 03-03-2003, 12:46 AM

Long story short: Went to grease my front end and a grease fitting on the upper control arm bushing (driver's side) simply broke off with the threads still in the bushing. I couldn't get the threads out, so I'm thinking about just getting another control arm bushing, and replacing it.

Can I do this with the spindle in place and the spring in, or do I need to pop all of that loose?

crazy longhorn · 03-03-2003, 09:46 AM

yes, you can install the bushing with everything in place. I have done a few uppers that way.......lowers might be a bioch tho....

72c10 · 03-03-2003, 10:38 AM

is it posible to use an easy out to get the rest of the fitting out?

Seon · 03-03-2003, 11:03 AM

"Can I do this with the spindle in place and the spring in, or do I need to pop all of that loose?

If I'm not mistaken, the upper control arms is connected to the spindle with the upper ball joint. To remove this arm, you need to remove the coil spring and disconnect the ball joint from the spindle. Then you unbolt the shaft and remove the control arm.
It might be easier to drill the broken threads out and install a larger diameter grease fitting. It's not a critial part, it's just to squirt grease in. Good luck.

**COBALT** · 03-03-2003, 12:22 PM

I used thread locker on the fitting when I installed them all. I don't think the threads are going to come out. I thought about drilling it out and tapping it for a larger size. I didn't want to get metal particles inside the bushing.

**COBALT** · 03-03-2003, 01:32 PM

I just talked to Early Classic Enterprises (the guys I bought the front-end kit from), and had a talk with them. I think I'm just going to replace the bushing. They told me to beware driling the hole out, because getting metal in there wasn't a good idea at all, which is what I was concerned about.

I thought about taking the weight off the upper control arm by compressing the wheel up with the spring in, and they thought it was a good idea. If the weight is off then the bushing would come out. With the weight still on then it won't even turn, which makes sense.

Either way ECE offered to send me a new bushing for free! Those guys are great.

I'll keep you guys updated.

72c10 · 03-03-2003, 08:51 PM

wow thats cool that they would send you a new one for free. not to many places would.

03-03-2003, 12:46 AM	#1
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	Broken Grease Fitting Long story short: Went to grease my front end and a grease fitting on the upper control arm bushing (driver's side) simply broke off with the threads still in the bushing. I couldn't get the threads out, so I'm thinking about just getting another control arm bushing, and replacing it. Can I do this with the spindle in place and the spring in, or do I need to pop all of that loose? __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

03-03-2003, 12:22 PM	#5
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	I used thread locker on the fitting when I installed them all. I don't think the threads are going to come out. I thought about drilling it out and tapping it for a larger size. I didn't want to get metal particles inside the bushing. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

03-03-2003, 01:32 PM	#6
COBALT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Seattle, WA, USA Posts: 5,817	I just talked to Early Classic Enterprises (the guys I bought the front-end kit from), and had a talk with them. I think I'm just going to replace the bushing. They told me to beware driling the hole out, because getting metal in there wasn't a good idea at all, which is what I was concerned about. I thought about taking the weight off the upper control arm by compressing the wheel up with the spring in, and they thought it was a good idea. If the weight is off then the bushing would come out. With the weight still on then it won't even turn, which makes sense. Either way ECE offered to send me a new bushing for free! Those guys are great. I'll keep you guys updated. __________________ '69 3/4 ton C20 2wd-350ci/TH400 '69 3/4 ton Custom 20 2wd-350ci/4sp Manual '99 2wd 5.7 Chevy Tahoe Seattle, WA.

03-03-2003, 09:46 AM	#2
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	yes, you can install the bushing with everything in place. I have done a few uppers that way.......lowers might be a bioch tho....

03-03-2003, 10:38 AM	#3
72c10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: burlington KY Posts: 175	is it posible to use an easy out to get the rest of the fitting out?

03-03-2003, 11:03 AM	#4
Seon Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Northern CA. Posts: 503	"Can I do this with the spindle in place and the spring in, or do I need to pop all of that loose? If I'm not mistaken, the upper control arms is connected to the spindle with the upper ball joint. To remove this arm, you need to remove the coil spring and disconnect the ball joint from the spindle. Then you unbolt the shaft and remove the control arm. It might be easier to drill the broken threads out and install a larger diameter grease fitting. It's not a critial part, it's just to squirt grease in. Good luck.

03-03-2003, 08:51 PM	#7
72c10 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: burlington KY Posts: 175	wow thats cool that they would send you a new one for free. not to many places would.



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