| Near disaster...lower control arm [message #102801] |
Wed, 13 October 2010 12:39  |
Larry
Messages: 2875
Registered: January 2004
Location: Menomonie, WI
Karma:
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In early September, just before going to DeQuoin, I was doing some maintenance on the gas tanks. Just a year earlier, I had removed the upper and lower arms to replace the bushings, repair the shock mounts and do an alignment. If you have done a bushing replacement, you know that the nut that goes on the bolt holding the control arm to the frame is a grade 8 crimping style nut. I was shocked to find that the front bolt that holds the driver side lower control arm to the frame had lost it’s nut and backed its way out until only a couple of threads were holding it. The nut had lost it’s crimping tension, worked loose, dropped into the frame (where I found it laying) and the bolt then backed it’s way out. I was breathless thinking of what might have happened if it had come out while on the road. I checked the one on the passenger side to find that the nut was still on the bolt, but had loosened a couple of turns. I had to release the tension on the torsion bar, to move the arm into position so that I could get the front bolt back in where it belongs. The rear control arm bolts were tight. I then used Red Locktight on the nut to keep it in place. I have since found out from Dave Lenzi that the nut should be replaced at each use, or at a minimum use locktight with further application as the nut will loose it’s crimping tension.
I bring all of this to the groups attention, so that IF you have replaced the control arm bushings or for any reason have removed the lower control arms, you should probably check the bolt for tightness and remove the nut for locktight or replacement. I will be going to Fastenall today to see if I can get a new set of grade 8 nuts. PLEASE check your lower control arm bolts now.
Larry 
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
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