Well to make a long story short, my '71 Chevelle's driver's side upper A arm has been cracked for almost 2 years now. I finally got a replacement arm from the wrecking a couple months ago. I just haven't had the time to bolt it on yet. Well, the arm was off, I believe, a Pontiac Lemans. I've been told it'll work, but, my question is...why are the "side" bolts on the arm bigger then the ones off my Chevelle?
Another thing I found out yesterday, my passenger side A arm has completely lost one of the bushings. The bolt that held it in place was a couple threads away from falling off. The plan is to replace these bushings, but I have no idea who or where to take them to. Thanks to everyone for your advice and input. It is all very welcome and appreciated. graemlins/thumbsup.gif graemlins/beers.gif

The upper arm off the lemans should be a direct swap if it's off a GM A-body (I.e. before 72).

The bushings can be removed at a competent garage or machine shop. Just call around and ask. Going rate seems to be $5 per bushing to remove & $5 to reinstall (you supply new bushings).

Ask if they ever have any problem bending the arms during r&r.

If they don't know what you are talking about, skip them.

The "side" bolts if you use aftermarket bushings are not the same as stock. Maybe these have already been done?

Does the new arm use bolts or nuts? I know there are 2 types of cross shafts. The Chevelles used the small bolt and others used a nut. I don't know when or why they changed. The 2 shafts should be interchangeable in the arm.

You can replace the bushings yourself but it can be difficult. What I did was look up "auto mechanics" in the Yellow Pages and went down the list until I found one with a press that could do it. NOt all of them have a press to get the bushings in.

Tim.

The arm was off a 70-72 A body, you could tell by the way the back half of the car looked. As for my "new" arm having nuts or bolts, I'm not sure, I gotta take a look at it again. As for the "side" bolts, I have no idea if their stock or aftermarket...I just yanked 'em from the car at the wrecking. If you're talking about my car, their all original, haven't been touched. I've had to change the driver's side A arm once before....a crack in the same location I have now :mad: graemlins/angry.gif

Maybe should think about some tube arms huh?

Well I installed the driver's side A arm earlier today. Not too bad...a couple slight set backs, but all in all pretty good graemlins/thumbsup.gif The "new" arm I got from the wrecking, "Le Mans", had the big bolt for the cross shaft, and of course my "old" A arm had the small bolt. Now I gotta yank the passenger side A arm off and figure out a way how I'm gonna take the one bushing that's left on it, then figure out how I'm gonna install the new ones :confused: Any hints or tips??? I'm thinking of using some grease to help/aid in sliding the new bushings in. Slowpoke (Enrique) told me his dad stuck his bushings in the freezer over night to aid in installation. What do you guys think??? TIA!!! graemlins/thumbsup.gif graemlins/beers.gif