Lower control arm question......

Author Topic: Lower control arm question......  (Read 4711 times)

Offline challenger71

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Lower control arm question......
« on: December 15, 2010 - 11:42:30 PM »
Does anyone know if the lower control arms on my 71 challenger are rebuildable? I was wondering if there was a replacement part/seal for around the "shaft"?
10 years in the making......




Offline 72rtchallenger

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Re: Lower control arm question......
« Reply #1 on: December 15, 2010 - 11:50:16 PM »
they sell the bushings if thats what you need,,some vendors on here probably have them and probably ebay
72rtchallenger
my challengers restro at http://www.cardomain.com/ride/399010
what happens in the garage
stays in the garage

Offline purple1

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Re: Lower control arm question......
« Reply #2 on: December 16, 2010 - 01:05:23 PM »
Simple answer... YES!!!

New bushings and pins.

Dave


Worlds first e-body trailer.    Severna Park, Maryland

Offline brads70

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Re: Lower control arm question......
« Reply #3 on: December 16, 2010 - 06:29:28 PM »
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Katfish

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Re: Lower control arm question......
« Reply #4 on: December 18, 2010 - 02:57:52 PM »
Don't waste your money on a greaseable control arm pin.  They don't need to be greased, the whole pin assembly rotates in the control arm.

http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/coarmst.html

Offline autoxcuda

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Re: Lower control arm question......
« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2010 - 03:29:35 PM »
Don't waste your money on a greaseable control arm pin.  They don't need to be greased, the whole pin assembly rotates in the control arm.

http://chucker54.stores.yahoo.net/coarmst.html


If you are running stock rubber bushings, you don't use a geasable pin.

When you are running poly bushing inserts the poly bushing act as a bearing and rotates freely (somewhat) between the pin (fixed to K-member) and LCA. That's why it's nice to grease them. The old LCA stock rubber bushing sleeves must be left on the LCA pin and inside the LCA to run them.

Ethier way, LCA don't wear. So you can use your old ones. Unless someone bent one or jacked it up trying to remove a LCA bushing sleeve from it.
Spring Fling XXX
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Offline 1970bumblebee

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Re: Lower control arm question......
« Reply #6 on: December 22, 2010 - 11:34:34 PM »
purple1 I have a question for you. Where did you get the bushing and pin? And who did you replace it. Are they pressed in? Any help would be great. Im in the middle of rebuilding my front end and that the only thing I cant find and find out how to replace them.
Thanks,
1970bumblebee
Mopar to ya!
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T JS23N0B
1971 Dodge Demon 500ci Big block

Offline mjb765

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Re: Lower control arm question......
« Reply #7 on: December 22, 2010 - 11:58:33 PM »
purple1 I have a question for you. Where did you get the bushing and pin? And who did you replace it. Are they pressed in? Any help would be great. Im in the middle of rebuilding my front end and that the only thing I cant find and find out how to replace them.
Thanks,
1970bumblebee


See if this helps...

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/tipstricks/155_0306_control_arms/index.html

Offline purple1

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Re: Lower control arm question......
« Reply #8 on: December 23, 2010 - 09:25:28 AM »
purple1 I have a question for you. Where did you get the bushing and pin? And who did you replace it. Are they pressed in? Any help would be great. Im in the middle of rebuilding my front end and that the only thing I cant find and find out how to replace them.
Thanks,
1970bumblebee


It has been a few years... So here goes...

I did this all my self. No press. I got the tools made by American Muscle.
Link to the website: http://www.americanmuscle.biz/Suspension_Tools_s/1.htm

I got a complete front end kit from PST. It came with the rubber lower control arm bushings. I think I got the pins for stock type bushings from Just Suspensions. After I got mine off they were messed up in the threads. So I had to get the new ones. I did all of it at once with the "Pro kit" and the "Lower control arm bushing sleeve remover".

The right tools made all the difference.  :2cents:

Edit: Links.
http://www.p-s-t.com/
http://justsuspension.com/
« Last Edit: December 23, 2010 - 09:38:33 AM by purple1 »

Dave


Worlds first e-body trailer.    Severna Park, Maryland

Offline 1970bumblebee

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Re: Lower control arm question......
« Reply #9 on: December 23, 2010 - 09:48:47 AM »
That was sooooo.... much help!!!! Thanks ALOT!!! Looks like I know what Im doing this weekend!!! lol hopefully I get some good presents from the girlfriend to!! lol "Mopar Collectors Guide" subscription!
Mopar to ya!
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T JS23N0B
1971 Dodge Demon 500ci Big block

Offline purple1

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Re: Lower control arm question......
« Reply #10 on: December 23, 2010 - 10:22:42 AM »
 :2thumbs: !!!

Glad to help. Let us know how it goes.

Dave


Worlds first e-body trailer.    Severna Park, Maryland

Offline RB2929

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Re: Lower control arm question......
« Reply #11 on: December 23, 2010 - 10:24:04 AM »
I bought the complete tool kit from American Muscle.
The tools worked great, expect one minor issue.  The T-Bar removal tool, I broke one of the four bolts while taking the T-Bar out.  But, I couldn’t imagine trying to get the T-Bar out w/o the tool.
Also, PST has the LCA re-enforcement plates for about $20.  My brother works in a welding shop, so we made our own.  I think it’s a worthwhile mod, my LCAs were spreading apart by about a quarter inch on the top portion.  The plates pulled the sides together and will last longer than me.
Hope that helps.

Offline purple1

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Re: Lower control arm question......
« Reply #12 on: December 23, 2010 - 10:34:28 AM »
The only trouble I had was the "all" thread" they give you gets messed up as you use the tools. I got some from the local hardware store and moved on. Getting some extra hardware (nuts and washers for the all thread) doesn't hurt either.

Dave


Worlds first e-body trailer.    Severna Park, Maryland

Offline ChallengerHK

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Re: Lower control arm question......
« Reply #13 on: December 23, 2010 - 11:11:14 AM »
I bought the complete tool kit from American Muscle.
The tools worked great, expect one minor issue.  The T-Bar removal tool, I broke one of the four bolts while taking the T-Bar out.  But, I couldn’t imagine trying to get the T-Bar out w/o the tool.

I had lots of trouble with mine until Neil posted tips for how to get them out. After that, it was pretty easy, no tool required. Those tips are still on here somewhere.


"She'll make point five past light speed. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, and I've made a lot of special modifications myself."

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Offline brads70

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Re: Lower control arm question......
« Reply #14 on: December 23, 2010 - 04:44:22 PM »
I had lots of trouble with mine until Neil posted tips for how to get them out. After that, it was pretty easy, no tool required. Those tips are still on here somewhere.

 :wave: Hi David!
Would you happen to have a link to Neil's tips?
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0