As before Buskirk sells the heavy duty control arms for the GMC
>-- [ From: Eugene Fisher * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] --
>
>LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE
>
>I think I know a truth about this, see if you agree.
>
>If your lower ball joints are held to the control arms with bolts, your
>lower control arm is at risk. The holes for these bolts might be egg
>shaped from loose bolts or improperly drilled out rivets. This puts a
>lot of stress on the ball joint hole at the end of the lower control arm
>and eventually failure of the control arm. I have heard of rivets
>becoming loose but it seems most of the failures have come after
>maintenance has replaced the lower ball joint.
>
>WHAT TO DO
>1) Check the bolts on the upper and lower ball joints at every lube and
>bearing check.
>2) Check the tip of the lower control arm with a sharp scribe or at
>least a finger nail looking for cracks.
>
>The crack in the control arm shown in the picture could have easily been
>found this way. This control arm was from an active GMC and had not yet
>failed. The GMCMM article Jan99, points out that this procedure will not
>find hairline cracks. You would need to tear down the suspension and
>carefully check the area around the hole.
>
>3) If the bolts will not stay tight, the ball joint should be replaced
>and possibly drilled out for larger tight bolts. ( I am not sure green
>goop (locktight #---------- will help, but it cannot hurt)
>
>
>REPAIR
> The real questions are:
> Is it safe to repair the arm by welding?
> Exactly what should be added to the Toronado arm to make it good
>for GMCs'?
> Where can we find good reinforced control arms. ( I will check on
>the price of new ones)
> ????
>
>Gene
>
>--
>Gene 76Palm Beach /Or/CA
>
>GMC Technical Information
>http://www.california.com/~eagle/
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
>-- [ From: Eugene Fisher * EMC.Ver #2.5.3 ] --
>
>LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILURE
>
>I think I know a truth about this, see if you agree.
>
>If your lower ball joints are held to the control arms with bolts, your
>lower control arm is at risk. The holes for these bolts might be egg
>shaped from loose bolts or improperly drilled out rivets. This puts a
>lot of stress on the ball joint hole at the end of the lower control arm
>and eventually failure of the control arm. I have heard of rivets
>becoming loose but it seems most of the failures have come after
>maintenance has replaced the lower ball joint.
>
>WHAT TO DO
>1) Check the bolts on the upper and lower ball joints at every lube and
>bearing check.
>2) Check the tip of the lower control arm with a sharp scribe or at
>least a finger nail looking for cracks.
>
>The crack in the control arm shown in the picture could have easily been
>found this way. This control arm was from an active GMC and had not yet
>failed. The GMCMM article Jan99, points out that this procedure will not
>find hairline cracks. You would need to tear down the suspension and
>carefully check the area around the hole.
>
>3) If the bolts will not stay tight, the ball joint should be replaced
>and possibly drilled out for larger tight bolts. ( I am not sure green
>goop (locktight #---------- will help, but it cannot hurt)
>
>
>REPAIR
> The real questions are:
> Is it safe to repair the arm by welding?
> Exactly what should be added to the Toronado arm to make it good
>for GMCs'?
> Where can we find good reinforced control arms. ( I will check on
>the price of new ones)
> ????
>
>Gene
>
>--
>Gene 76Palm Beach /Or/CA
>
>GMC Technical Information
>http://www.california.com/~eagle/
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
