C1 pivot shaft bushing

[Thomas H.]

Found this today while working on the front suspension. Looks like new bushings are in order. I could practically pull the shaft out by hand. Looks like someone tried to shim it at some point in time.

Interestingly enough, the otherside is solid and shows no signs of wear.

Looking for tips, tactics from those that have tackled this before.

Thanks,

Tom

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 pivot shaft bushing

I've been working on these frontends for 40+yrs.

http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/218134/

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 pivot shaft bushing

Yep, Tom's your man! I've used his guides for years and he is a expert on the subject.

You can buy replacements......link here, and weld them on.....Rich

[Thomas H.]

Re: C1 pivot shaft bushing

I've been working on these frontends for 40+yrs.
http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/sh...hp?tid/218134/

Tom,

Yes I have seen this article. It was a great help during the disassembly stage. Thank you for taking the time to put it together.

I have the bushings on order from my favorite vendor. I assume they come with instructions, but instructions don't always cover everything so I was looking for some feedback from those that have been there, done that.

It looks to me to be fairly straight forward. When installing the new bushings, should I run a bead all around the bushing or tack it in several places?

Any special alignment tips othere then keeping the front and rear in the right place?

Tom

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 pivot shaft bushing

It is a very straight forward replacement of those bushings.
The instructions are fairly accurate.
As you mentioned, it is IMPERATIVE that the small hole goes on the rearward side of the spring tower!!!
Also, just as a reminder to what I put in the article, the upper-inner cross shaft is SUPPOSED to screw in VERY tight. The reason is bacause once installed, the shaft is NOT supposed to turn, the bushings (big nuts on each side of the A-frame) are only supposed to rotate on the threaded ends of the shaft.

As you can see in your picture, the originals were spot welded in the cross member at 6 locations. I don't know that it would really matter if the replacements were tack welded at several locations or if a bead should be made all the way around the circumference. Just be sure the bushings are solidly welded in place.

And, one last comment which CANNOT be emphasized enough!
DURING reassembly of the frontend, grease and flex each joint and grease again. These metal-to-metal suspension joints are antique technology, but properly serviced and greased, they will last for MANY years. YES, I know it makes a greasy mess and several rags are needed to wipe off the excess grease, but this is what needs to be done to these old frontends, ESPECIALLY during a total rebuild because everything will be fresh and there won't be much clearance for penetration of grease around the shaft/bushing threads.

[Thomas H.]

Re: C1 pivot shaft bushing

It is a very straight forward replacement of those bushings.
The instructions are fairly accurate.
As you mentioned, it is IMPERATIVE that the small hole goes on the rearward side of the spring tower!!!
Also, just as a reminder to what I put in the article, the upper-inner cross shaft is SUPPOSED to screw in VERY tight. The reason is bacause once installed, the shaft is NOT supposed to turn, the bushings (big nuts on each side of the A-frame) are only supposed to rotate on the threaded ends of the shaft.

As you can see in your picture, the originals were spot welded in the cross member at 6 locations. I don't know that it would really matter if the replacements were tack welded at several locations or if a bead should be made all the way around the circumference. Just be sure the bushings are solidly welded in place.

And, one last comment which CANNOT be emphasized enough!
DURING reassembly of the frontend, grease and flex each joint and grease again. These metal-to-metal suspension joints are antique technology, but properly serviced and greased, they will last for MANY years. YES, I know it makes a greasy mess and several rags are needed to wipe off the excess grease, but this is what needs to be done to these old frontends, ESPECIALLY during a total rebuild because everything will be fresh and there won't be much clearance for penetration of grease around the shaft/bushing threads.

Thanks Tom.

I hope to tackle this over the weekend. I'll post the results.

Since you have a lot of experience with these older front suspensions, can you answer my question about the tie rod end boot in this post:

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?t=84276&uid=5736

Thanks,

Tom

[Tom P.]

Re: C1 pivot shaft bushing

Nope, that's one I'm not familiar with. I wondered about that when it was originally posted.

[Thomas H.]

Re: C1 pivot shaft bushing

Nope, that's one I'm not familiar with. I wondered about that when it was originally posted.

The original owner of this car seemed to keep every receipt for work done and parts bought for the car. I went through them the other night and found one receipt for replacing one tie rod end. The ones removed from the car show that one has a rubber boot and no inspection paint and the other has the inspection paint with the metal boot sort of supporting the paper trail.

Either way I think, for safety sake, I'll replace both and put the old ones away for future reference.

Tom

[David H.]

Re: C1 pivot shaft bushing

Found this today while working on the front suspension. Looks like new bushings are in order. I could practically pull the shaft out by hand. Looks like someone tried to shim it at some point in time.

Interestingly enough, the otherside is solid and shows no signs of wear.

Looking for tips, tactics from those that have tackled this before.

Thanks,

Tom

Thomas, which side of the car was the worn out one on? Drivers or Passengers?

[Thomas H.]

Re: C1 pivot shaft bushing

Thomas, which side of the car was the worn out one on? Drivers or Passengers?

Passenger side

[David H.]

Re: C1 pivot shaft bushing

My passengers side was worn badly also. Drivers side was fine. I had to replace some of the nuts in the a-arms. I had a local machine shop make me some and they worked perfectly. Otherwise would have had to replace the a-arm.

[Thomas H.]

Re: C1 pivot shaft bushing

Passenger side

Correction, Drivers side. I went out to work on it tonight and noticed I was wrong in my answer previously.

Some days I don't know my right from left, other days I can't tell up or down!

Mot.......... Oops, I mean Tom...........

[Robert S.]

Re: C1 pivot shaft bushing

Thomas, you should join DAM. If there is not a chapter near you, you could start one. DAM is short for Mothers Against Dyslexia.