The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Lower Control Arm Shaft

I have a 1965 C10 Fleetside that I have taken all the way down to the frame. I am in the process of rebuilding the front suspension and I am starting to wonder if I have gone too far. I removed the upper and lower control arms (a-arms) and have replaced the upper control arm shaft. I have removed the lower control arm shaft and I am attempting install a new shaft with little success. When I try and tighten the control arm bushings it is bending the control arm rather than threading into the control arm. Are there any special tricks to installing new shafts? Is there any special tools required? Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Bargy1, you may want to send a pm to a bolter here name lugnutz. He finished up the frontend on his 62,or 63, just a short time ago. I think the years are the same and if they are I'm sure he can walk you through any problems.....IF Someone else doen't chip in soon.

Hey there, its me, Lugnutz. Sorry, but I did not replace the control arm shafts or bushings, so I don't really have any advice to offer. Wish I did.

Bargy1,

I did mine a couple of years ago but don't remember having the problem you seem to be having. I went through my pictures but couldn't find anything helpful for you. Do you have the 1963 Chevrolet Truck Shop Manual? That will be extremely helpful.

Here's what is says:

Lower control Arm Assembly
Removal
1. Raise vehicle and remove spring as outlined under Spring-Removal.
2. Disconnect control arm from crossmenber by removing four nuts and bolts securing cross-shaft.

Repairs
Bushings
1. Remove grease fittings from bushing outer ends and unscrew bushings from control arm and shaft. (fig 22).
2. Slide new seal on each end of shaft and insert shaft into control arm.
3. Start new bushings on shaft and into control arm. Adjust shat until it is centered in control arm, then turn bushings in and torque (200-220 lb. ft. if spacer is used, 125-140 lb. ft. if no spacer is used). Figure 23 shows the final positioning of the shaft. check shaft for free rotation and install grease fittings.

Sorry I can't post the figures.


I did not use any special tools. Give Tony from 4-5-6 Chevy Trucks a shout. I bet he's done a million of these.

Tom

Tom, I do have the manual and followed the instructions but I am still having trouble. The bushings are threaded on the inside to screw on the shaft and have threads (more like ridges) on the outside to screw into the control arm. When I try to tighten the bushings with one person on each side it threads onto the shaft but doesn't thread into the control arm - it just wants to bend the arm. I'll try Tony and see if he has any advice.

Thank you for the responses.

Hit me with a call or PM and I will help you out with the process.

I know we had the same problems with offshore LCA shafts on a buddy's ride, went to MOOG brand parts and they went together fine.