Another reason to detail your undercarriage...

[Ronald F.]

So, here's what I found. Even I can tell it's not right as I looked at the opposite side for comparison. I don't think it's been gone long. Could anyone tell me what this piece missing is called (so I can order a new one) and exactly how dangerous is it to drive now?As always, thanks!

[Brian M.]

Re: Another reason to detail your undercarriage...

Do not drive till repaired. JMHO

[Jim S.]

Re: Another reason to detail your undercarriage...

So, here's what I found. Even I can tell it's not right as I looked at the opposite side for comparison. I don't think it's been gone long. Could anyone tell me what this piece missing is called (so I can order a new one) and exactly how dangerous is it to drive now?As always, thanks!

https://www.paragoncorvette.com/p-357749-front-lower-a-arm-control-bushing-retainer-kit.aspx

6518K.jpg

[Gary R.]

Re: Another reason to detail your undercarriage...

Ron,That is a very loose lower control arm bushing. The washer and bolt are missing, should look like the back side. As you are aware, do not drive the car until this is repaired. These bushings should be pressed into the arm so that should be checked. You should remove the arm to check and replace the bushing(s). I would check the uppers as well, the bolts should be torqued with the car on the ground with full weight so the correct ride height will be maintained. It might be possible to press it back into the sleeve but I would look very closely at it.

[Michael W.]

Re: Another reason to detail your undercarriage...

The guys are right. Do not drive till it's fixed. I'm also going to guess that somebody installed polyurethane bushings. The bolt coming loose and falling out is just one of their famous tricks.

[Joe T.]

Re: Another reason to detail your undercarriage...

Bushing is definitely loose and pulling out of the control arm probably due to the bolt missing and the flexing of the bushing. These are pressed in as noted above and are a very tight fit and MAY not be able to be just pulled back in with the a bolt. Pulling the control arm is a major effort. You could try the big hammer trick, but the bushing might already be compromised. Fix it before you drive it.

[Bob R.]

Re: Another reason to detail your undercarriage...

After seeing that I think you should spend some time under the car and check everything you can front and rear suspension. I would guess there are other loose bolts.

[Edward J.]

Re: Another reason to detail your undercarriage...

The guys are right. Do not drive till it's fixed. I'm also going to guess that somebody installed polyurethane bushings. The bolt coming loose and falling out is just one of their famous tricks.

Ron, I agree with Mike as everything in the pic.s point to urethane type bushings every where else, The only thing to do at this point is remove the lower control arm and replace the bushings, DO NOT TRY TO RE-INSTALL BACK INTO CONTROL ARM!! . That bushing has a metal sleeve that is suppose to be pressed or molded to the bushing and has now be squeezed out by the bolt falling off. I have no problem with urethane bushings in other places in the suspension, But the control arms front or rear trailing arms are a few areas I not crazy about using them.

[David P.]

Re: Another reason to detail your undercarriage...

Wow, great find! That is, nice work finding a significant mechanical problem before it became catastrophe. I'd much rather read a post about that than a crash or devastating mechanical failure.

[Ronald F.]

Re: Another reason to detail your undercarriage...

Okay I got a new washer and bolt kit. Just wondering, the bolt has a black finish and the washer a natural metal finish. Is that correct? Also, does the locking washer go between the washer and the bolt head or on the inside of the washer? Just want to make sure I get this right so it doesn't back out again. Thanks!

[Jim S.]

Re: Another reason to detail your undercarriage...

Okay I got a new washer and bolt kit. Just wondering, the bolt has a black finish and the washer a natural metal finish. Is that correct? Also, does the locking washer go between the washer and the bolt head or on the inside of the washer? Just want to make sure I get this right so it doesn't back out again. Thanks!

The bolt, lock washer, large washer, bushing, cross shaft and a-arm was painted gloss black as an assembly.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Another reason to detail your undercarriage...

Okay I got a new washer and bolt kit. Just wondering, the bolt has a black finish and the washer a natural metal finish. Is that correct? Also, does the locking washer go between the washer and the bolt head or on the inside of the washer? Just want to make sure I get this right so it doesn't back out again. Thanks!

These were occasionally painted on the UPPER control arm, but not the lower. Finishes are as you describe, and it goes bushing, large washer, lock washer and bolt from inner to outer. Be sure to torque to spec with the weight of the car on the wheels.

[Michael W.]

Re: Another reason to detail your undercarriage...

The base problem of the bushing being loose in the A-arm needs to be corrected. That's what caused the last bolt to come loose and fall out.

[Ronald F.]

Re: Another reason to detail your undercarriage...

I'm pretty sure the problem is polyurethane bushings which were used during restoration. I plan to eventually replace them with rubber bushings, but for now, I'm going to keep a close watch on all of them to make sure they stay nice and snug.

[Jim S.]

Re: Another reason to detail your undercarriage...

These were occasionally painted on the UPPER control arm, but not the lower. Finishes are as you describe, and it goes bushing, large washer, lock washer and bolt from inner to outer. Be sure to torque to spec with the weight of the car on the wheels.

Patrick, I can't answer if you are referring to C3's but they were painted top & bottom as an assembly on C2's. See photo below from 1966.
img_67975650a30d47918bce510e2b4c772d.jpg