[lev8trmn]

I'm debating on wether or not to rebuild and use my original control arms or just buy new ones. I'm leaning on getting the old ones HDG along with my frame and rebuilding them.

Are the reproduction arms of good quality? I noticed Tamaraz on e-bay have new ones with all the extras all ready to go.

Thanks
Bob

 

[SS70ElCaminoOwner]

Unless there is something wrong with your old parts I would redo the old parts. I might be bias though. See this link
http://www.leverfamilysite.com/GM_A_body.htm

I do not like after market parts. The only reason I would use after market is for some specialty parts (tubular arms, HIGH performance parts, ETC.)

I know you can fine original parts complete and ready to install if that is the way you want to go.

 

[lev8trmn]

Thanks for the reply Glen. I agree with using old parts, but looking at the price VS work brings doubts to my mind. Using my old upper arms, I would spend about 65 buck on ball joint and cross shaft for each arm, where as I could buy the complete arm for 95 each. HUMMM is 30 bucks worth the time and quality difference. I'm sure the aftermarket arm had thinner substandard metal. OO I forgot all US metal comes from overseas nowadays anyway. What to do, What to do.

 

[68KMENO]

let me add if your decide to reuse your lower A arms be sure after they are blasted to inspect them VERY carefully as they have a bad habit of cracking around the balljoint. there are kits to weld in to cure this just use the search engine & you will find more info then You really wanted to know ........

 

[SS70ElCaminoOwner]

Why are you replacing the pivot shaft on the uppers, there is no need to do so, just clean them up and replace the bushings. Also take a look at this link.
http://www.leverfamilysite.com/cost.htm

 

[fast1971chevelle]

just redo them yourself and save alot of money,plus you get the satisfaction of a job well done.there is no need to replace the cross shafts just the bushings. take off all 4 control arms and remove all ball joints i.e if the uppers are original drill out the rivits holding the ball joint on and waaaa laaaa, press out the cross shaft bushings and you may have to take the lower arms to a machine shop and have the lowers pressed out and the new ones pressed back in when you are done. after you get them stripped take them and have them sandblasted and a couple nice coats of primer and a few nice coats of black paint and your back in business.....it is a easy job and you can save some money.......Mike

 

[lev8trmn]

just redo them yourself and save alot of money,plus you get the satisfaction of a job well done.there is no need to replace the cross shafts just the bushings. take off all 4 control arms and remove all ball joints i.e if the uppers are original drill out the rivits holding the ball joint on and waaaa laaaa, press out the cross shaft bushings and you may have to take the lower arms to a machine shop and have the lowers pressed out and the new ones pressed back in when you are done. after you get them stripped take them and have them sandblasted and a couple nice coats of primer and a few nice coats of black paint and your back in business.....it is a easy job and you can save some money.......Mike

Sounds like a winner to me Mike. I'm all about saving a buck and still getting quality. I'm sure I'll find plenty of other places to spend car money on.:yes:

I'll look into a couple of machine shops to press the old bushings out.

 

[SS70ElCaminoOwner]

When you look for a place to remove your bushings, make sure they will be pressing them out , NOT using an air chisel.

 

[lev8trmn]

When you look for a place to remove your bushings, make sure they will be pressing them out , NOT using an air chisel.

Went to my front end /suspention shop today and dropped off parts. I did ask to see their press and made sure they know that's how I want bushings removed. They are also going to get me all the bushings and ball joints I need (Moog) at wholesale (what they pay) without any markup!!! Only charging me 20 bucks labor to remove parts. I'll be picking up the parts tomorrow. After I get them blasted and painted, I'll bring them back to the shop so they can press on new bushings and instal ball joints. I think I owe these guys a beer!! :beers:

 

[SS70ElCaminoOwner]

If you are painting and do not want to mess the paint up you should have the bushings and ball joints pressed in first, then tape off the ball joints and bushings and then paint your arms

 

[cooter95206]

Only charging me 20 bucks labor to remove parts. I think I owe these guys a beer!! :beers:

Hell yeah ya do. I had just 1 set( 1 upper arm and 1 lower arm) control arm bushings removed and replaced, along w/ the lower balljoint removed and replaced for $90...and that's with ME buying all the parts seperately.
I called around and got the same price from 2 different shops.
(jeez, do youse guys hear alotta laughter in the background when you ask for quotes, too? 8^)

I guess I won't need that prostate check this year, I've already been reamed.

Can someone fill me in on why an air chisel is the big no-no?

 

[SS70ElCaminoOwner]

The air chisel makes a mess out of the arm.:waving: