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Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Quick question about control arm bushings (Removal)
Quick question about control arm bushings [message #313931] Wed, 01 March 2017 11:53 Go to next message
shaunone is currently offline  shaunone   Canada
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Registered: August 2016
Location: Cranbrook, B.C.
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Member
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?


1977 Palm Beach, 455, mostly stock and original
Re: [GMCnet] Quick question about control arm bushings [message #313933 is a reply to message #313931] Wed, 01 March 2017 11:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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Registered: May 2010
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Senior Member
Upper yes, lower no.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC ROYALE 403

On Mar 1, 2017 9:54 AM, "Shaun" wrote:

> 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
>
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Re: [GMCnet] Quick question about control arm bushings [message #313943 is a reply to message #313933] Wed, 01 March 2017 14:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
sgltrac is currently offline  sgltrac   United States
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
Senior Member
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
On Wed, Mar 1, 2017 at 9:58 AM James Hupy wrote:

> Upper yes, lower no.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Or
> 78 GMC ROYALE 403
>
> On Mar 1, 2017 9:54 AM, "Shaun" wrote:
>
>> 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
>
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Sully 77 Royale basket case. Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list) Seattle, Wa.
Re: [GMCnet] Quick question about control arm bushings [message #313953 is a reply to message #313943] Wed, 01 March 2017 14:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
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@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Todd
Sullivan
Sent: Thursday, March 2, 2017 7:03 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
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
On Wed, Mar 1, 2017 at 9:58 AM James Hupy wrote:

> Upper yes, lower no.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Or
> 78 GMC ROYALE 403
>
> On Mar 1, 2017 9:54 AM, "Shaun" wrote:
>
>> 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?
>>
>> _______________________________________________


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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Quick question about control arm bushings [message #313955 is a reply to message #313953] Wed, 01 March 2017 15:08 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Keith V is currently offline  Keith V   United States
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
Senior Member
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@list.gmcnet.org
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@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Todd
Sullivan
Sent: Thursday, March 2, 2017 7:03 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
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
On Wed, Mar 1, 2017 at 9:58 AM James Hupy wrote:

> Upper yes, lower no.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Or
> 78 GMC ROYALE 403
>
> On Mar 1, 2017 9:54 AM, "Shaun" wrote:
>
>> 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?
>>
>> _______________________________________________


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Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
Re: [GMCnet] Quick question about control arm bushings [message #313959 is a reply to message #313955] Wed, 01 March 2017 16:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
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@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Keith V
Sent: Thursday, March 2, 2017 8:08 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Quick question about control arm bushings

Rob,

Did you notice any handling improvement?



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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Quick question about control arm bushings [message #313961 is a reply to message #313959] Wed, 01 March 2017 18:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
sgltrac is currently offline  sgltrac   United States
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
Senior Member
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
On Wed, Mar 1, 2017 at 2:16 PM Rob Mueller wrote:

> 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@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Keith
> V
> Sent: Thursday, March 2, 2017 8:08 AM
> To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
> 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
>
_______________________________________________
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Sully 77 Royale basket case. Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list) Seattle, Wa.
Re: [GMCnet] Quick question about control arm bushings [message #313965 is a reply to message #313961] Wed, 01 March 2017 19:10 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
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@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Todd
Sullivan
Sent: Thursday, March 2, 2017 11:08 AM
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
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
On Wed, Mar 1, 2017 at 2:16 PM Rob Mueller wrote:

> 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@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Keith
> V
> Sent: Thursday, March 2, 2017 8:08 AM
> To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
> 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
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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: Quick question about control arm bushings [message #313974 is a reply to message #313931] Thu, 02 March 2017 10:57 Go to previous message
JohnL455 is currently offline  JohnL455   United States
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
Senior Member
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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