Whons Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 Well the the installation of the new upper rear control arms is not going well. Lucky I have a lathe, the upper metal bushings were .016 to large in diameter. Had to turn them down. Then the rear axle rotated down and pulled the drive shaft out of the transmission. Then I had a friend come over to help. It looks like the upper arms are good but we can't push the axle forward. Looks like the parking brake cables are preventing it. So I'm going to remove them. I need a couple days of rest before I continue. I've pulled engines easier than this job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jft69z Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 Those bushings are designed to be a press fit. There's no way I would turn them down. With the violence of suspension movement during use, it's likely those are going to work their way out during operation. In fact, when I got my current '72, one of the upper bushings wasn't fully seated. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1of80 Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 5 minutes ago, jft69z said: Those bushings are designed to be a press fit. There's no way I would turn them down. With the violence of suspension movement during use, it's likely those are going to work their way out during operation. In fact, when I got my current '72, one of the upper bushings wasn't fully seated. Super agree. The bushings are going to move now. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 I’ve seen them bushings “walk” before. Not pretty. It feels like the whole car is going to fall apart. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jft69z Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 Pretty sure I put a couple of small, easily removable tack welds on there to ensure they didn't move as well. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Peters Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 49 minutes ago, jft69z said: Pretty sure I put a couple of small, easily removable tack welds on there to ensure they didn't move as well. Sounds like a "Road Trip" rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whons Posted February 4 Author Share Posted February 4 I don't think you guys are understanding. I made them a good press fit. They were .016 to large. there is now way in heck that you are going to press a bushing into a bore that is .016 larger than the bore. Trust me I made them a good press fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
420ponies Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 I believe he has done well. Mine from UMI Performance were on the big side also. I betting you used vernier calipers or a set of Mics to see how the size was. To be correct the bores should be+/- .020" as so when you drive them in the bushing takes up the difference, hence they don't move once installed. I'm getting what he's putting down. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whons Posted February 4 Author Share Posted February 4 Thanks James. I did use vernier and micrometers. With the press fit I made them they aren't going to move Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whons Posted February 10 Author Share Posted February 10 Well got the whole rear end buttoned up. Had dry roads today, took it for a drive 🚗 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
420ponies Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 Well, how did you do? I'm curious if what you felt driving was the bushing issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whons Posted February 10 Author Share Posted February 10 It ended up being a nice day to take it out. I really had no notice of anything in the rear end. The old bushings were really bad. I think one time the old bushings moved and one of my exhaust pipes was rubbing on one of the old upper control arms. So now I have boxed type control arms with grease fittings in the rear. In the spring I'm going to new springs and control arm bushings on the front. Then my car will have all new suspension. I know the front will be easier. The rear I had to get some help. I'll let you know when I do the front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 If you think the front will be easier than the rear you are in for a rude awakening. Be prepared, the front springs are a bear. In my opinion of course. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whons Posted February 10 Author Share Posted February 10 Oh I know it's still a lot of work, but I think I can do it myself. The rear I needed another person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MC1of80 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 Rear control arms are wayyyy easier than the front to do. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marks71 Posted February 10 Share Posted February 10 That’s why I’m doing the rears first on mine. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whons Posted February 10 Author Share Posted February 10 When you do the rears remove one at a time and replace with the new one. My mistake was taking them all off and the axle shifted on me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dtret Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 4 hours ago, Whons said: When you do the rears remove one at a time and replace with the new one. My mistake was taking them all off and the axle shifted on me. That and having full weight on the car at the time of removal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marks71 Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 Yes, I planned on one at a time, which will be a bit of a hassle because I’m going to box them for a sway bar. It just means 2 trips to my cousin who is a certified welder. Which do you recommend doing first, the uppers or lowers? I’m hoping the sway bar comes with templates to drill the holes so I can get the correct position of the inserts. I plan on doing the uppers one at a time also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marks71 Posted February 11 Share Posted February 11 I did a post in the Brakes and Suspension category looking for opinions on a couple types of bushings on Feb.1. Haven’t heard anything yet. Hope some just missed it, so I thought I’d bring it up here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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