Upper control arm removal? Bolt interference

[Gary S.]

I am finally getting around to replacing the Control Arm bushings, mine are original to the car and heavily oxidized and full of cracks and fissures. The bottom one came off more or less without difficulty but the top one is giving me fits. The 1972 Service Manual says "Remove the two nuts securing the upper CA shaft to the frame bracket". Done. "Remove the bolts attaching the control arm to the frame..." A search here showed me that these bolts are splined and need to be driven out but the fan shroud is in the way. Am I missing something or is there a technique to drive them out? I vaguely recall some owners have to remove the shroud but I think that is either BB or A/C.

Any help here?

Thank you

Gary
ps, here is the bottom CA. I was surprised at their condition considering that the top CA bushings are as described. I haven't decided if I am going to replace these or not.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Upper control arm removal? Bolt interference

They look good to me.

The upper ones can be (next to) impossible to remove. The shroud is in the way, and the radiator is in the way of the shroud. That's why I've been telling you for 18 years that if you don't have metal-on-metal scraping I wouldn't touch them.

Of course, to remove the shroud you have to remove the fan and fan clutch, pulleys, etc. The foam seals may then fall off and need replacement, so be careful. Those tiny studs that hold the bottom of the fan shroud are also very easy to break, so apply penetrating oil for a couple of days to loosen them if you decide to go that direction.

On some cars I've had to loosen the radiator and/or radiator frame as well.

There may be a way to "push" the splined studs out without removing the shroud, and if so I hope someone chimes in.

[Gary S.]

Re: Upper control arm removal? Bolt interference

"That's why I've been telling you for 18 years that if you don't have metal-on-metal scraping..."

I don't know whether to give you my "Yes, dear" response normally reserved for my wife or my best Clint Eastwood impression of "you had better be smiling when you talk like that!". Yes, Patrick you have been saying that. I suspected that this was one of those defining moments of As long as I am in there...

Oth, my lower ball joints are toast as you, Joe L. and others have suggested so the lower CA was coming out anyhow. The upper BJ is darn near perfect so it is staying.

At the same time, I am replacing 41+ year old radiator and heater hoses.

Thank you as always.

Gary

[Joe L.]

Re: Upper control arm removal? Bolt interference

"That's why I've been telling you for 18 years that if you don't have metal-on-metal scraping..."

I don't know whether to give you my "Yes, dear" response normally reserved for my wife or my best Clint Eastwood impression of "you had better be smiling when you talk like that!". Yes, Patrick you have been saying that. I suspected that this was one of those defining moments of As long as I am in there...

Oth, my lower ball joints are toast as you, Joe L. and others have suggested so the lower CA was coming out anyhow. The upper BJ is darn near perfect so it is staying.

At the same time, I am replacing 41+ year old radiator and heater hoses.

Thank you as always.

Gary

Gary------


Typically, the upper ball joints are virtually "immortal". Most of the load and consequent wear is taken by lower ball joints.

[Gary S.]

Re: Upper control arm removal? Bolt interference

Got it. I put a larger socket on the back side of the bolt, put a C clamp on the threaded end of the bolt and started turning. The head of the C clamp pushed the bolt out into the oversized socket . Came out very easily and the Upper CA is out. The rubber in the bushing was rotten and could be twisted off by hand!

[Duke W.]

Re: Upper control arm removal? Bolt interference

Gary------


Typically, the upper ball joints are virtually "immortal". Most of the load and consequent wear is taken by lower ball joints.

Yup... same applies to the upper control arm bushings. The lower ball joint and lower control arm bushings carry the static load (weight of the car) and most of the dynamic load.

Duke

[Terry M.]

Re: Upper control arm removal? Bolt interference

I believe the heat in the engine compartment (and their proximity to the radiator) deteriorates the upper control arm bushings. The lower control arm bushings live in a relatively cool environment. Thus the upper bushings will go bad in spite of their relatively light load.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Upper control arm removal? Bolt interference

Got it. I put a larger socket on the back side of the bolt, put a C clamp on the threaded end of the bolt and started turning. The head of the C clamp pushed the bolt out into the oversized socket . Came out very easily and the Upper CA is out. The rubber in the bushing was rotten and could be twisted off by hand!

Great thinking! I'll have to remember that one.

PH