Quick question about control arm bushings

S

shaun

New member
Sep 28, 2016
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Can the upper and lower control arms be removed without removing the axle? For example, separate the upper and lower ball joints and swing hub
assembly out of the way?

I am planning on installing the upper offset bushing, but I figure I might as well replace all the bushings (they have about 120K on them). What do
you think?
 
Upper yes, lower no.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

> Can the upper and lower control arms be removed without removing the axle?
> For example, separate the upper and lower ball joints and swing hub
> assembly out of the way?
>
> I am planning on installing the upper offset bushing, but I figure I might
> as well replace all the bushings (they have about 120K on them). What do
> you think?
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Unless you know they are bad ( very unlikely) dont mess with the lower arm
bushings. They may look a little rough on the exposed ends but the part you
cant see where it matters should be fine.

Sully
77 eleganza 2
Seattle

> Upper yes, lower no.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Or
> 78 GMC ROYALE 403
>

>
> > Can the upper and lower control arms be removed without removing the
> axle?
> > For example, separate the upper and lower ball joints and swing hub
> > assembly out of the way?
> >
> > I am planning on installing the upper offset bushing, but I figure I
> might
> > as well replace all the bushings (they have about 120K on them). What do
> > you think?
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> >
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Sully,

I'm sorry but I'm going to disagree with you, kinda sorta. I've found that
you can't tell whether the lower bushings are good OR bad from the exposed
ends.

I replaced the rubber bushings in both my GMC's with urethane bushings
because that way I KNOW what condition they are and that they'll never need
replacing again. Well at least in MY lifetime.

As far as making the ride harder I have not experienced that.

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808


-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Todd
Sullivan
Sent: Thursday, March 2, 2017 7:03 AM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Quick question about control arm bushings

Unless you know they are bad ( very unlikely) dont mess with the lower arm
bushings. They may look a little rough on the exposed ends but the part you
cant see where it matters should be fine.

Sully
77 eleganza 2
Seattle

> Upper yes, lower no.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Or
> 78 GMC ROYALE 403
>

>
> > Can the upper and lower control arms be removed without removing the
> axle?
> > For example, separate the upper and lower ball joints and swing hub
> > assembly out of the way?
> >
> > I am planning on installing the upper offset bushing, but I figure I
> might
> > as well replace all the bushings (they have about 120K on them). What do
> > you think?
> >
> > _______________________________________________
 
Rob,

Did you notice any handling improvement?

________________________________
From: Gmclist on behalf of Rob Mueller
Sent: Wednesday, March 1, 2017 2:45:18 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Quick question about control arm bushings

Sully,

I'm sorry but I'm going to disagree with you, kinda sorta. I've found that
you can't tell whether the lower bushings are good OR bad from the exposed
ends.

I replaced the rubber bushings in both my GMC's with urethane bushings
because that way I KNOW what condition they are and that they'll never need
replacing again. Well at least in MY lifetime.

As far as making the ride harder I have not experienced that.

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Todd
Sullivan
Sent: Thursday, March 2, 2017 7:03 AM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Quick question about control arm bushings

Unless you know they are bad ( very unlikely) dont mess with the lower arm
bushings. They may look a little rough on the exposed ends but the part you
cant see where it matters should be fine.

Sully
77 eleganza 2
Seattle

> Upper yes, lower no.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Or
> 78 GMC ROYALE 403
>

>
> > Can the upper and lower control arms be removed without removing the
> axle?
> > For example, separate the upper and lower ball joints and swing hub
> > assembly out of the way?
> >
> > I am planning on installing the upper offset bushing, but I figure I
> might
> > as well replace all the bushings (they have about 120K on them). What do
> > you think?
> >
> > _______________________________________________

_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Keith,

Yes, however, I replaced everything in the front end at the same time; upper
/ lower bushings, lower control arms, ball joints, hubs, knuckles, tie rod
ends, relay lever, idler arm, etc.

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Keith V
Sent: Thursday, March 2, 2017 8:08 AM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Quick question about control arm bushings

Rob,

Did you notice any handling improvement?
 
How bad were the lower bushings you replaced Rob? I replaced mine as well
and when they came out the internal part of the bushing was perfectly
intact but the exposed edges looked rough. I replaced mine because i had
the arms zinc plated.

Sully
77 eleganza 2
Seattle

> Keith,
>
> Yes, however, I replaced everything in the front end at the same time;
> upper
> / lower bushings, lower control arms, ball joints, hubs, knuckles, tie rod
> ends, relay lever, idler arm, etc.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> The Pedantic Mechanic
> USAussie - Downunder
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
> USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Keith
> V
> Sent: Thursday, March 2, 2017 8:08 AM
> To: gmclist
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Quick question about control arm bushings
>
> Rob,
>
> Did you notice any handling improvement?
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Sully,

I replaced them in 2008 - I can't remember what I did yesterday!

If anybody is interested take a look at Steve Ferguson's photosite:

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/u32-botiemad.html

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Todd
Sullivan
Sent: Thursday, March 2, 2017 11:08 AM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Quick question about control arm bushings

How bad were the lower bushings you replaced Rob? I replaced mine as well
and when they came out the internal part of the bushing was perfectly
intact but the exposed edges looked rough. I replaced mine because i had
the arms zinc plated.

Sully
77 eleganza 2
Seattle

> Keith,
>
> Yes, however, I replaced everything in the front end at the same time;
> upper
> / lower bushings, lower control arms, ball joints, hubs, knuckles, tie rod
> ends, relay lever, idler arm, etc.
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> The Pedantic Mechanic
> USAussie - Downunder
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
> USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Keith
> V
> Sent: Thursday, March 2, 2017 8:08 AM
> To: gmclist
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Quick question about control arm bushings
>
> Rob,
>
> Did you notice any handling improvement?
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
I think I remember reading in a GM factory service manual ( Buick most likely) that light checking cracks in the bushings does not indicate need to
replace. Yes it's hard to tell condtion of the working part of the bushing, but if there is no visual shifting of the arm or rub marks or noise
complaint they are usually fine. More damage is done by improperly attempting remove/replace by unqualified personnel
--
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
 
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