Front Upper Control Arm shafts

dsa87gn · 11-06-2009, 10:28 PM

I am researching for a spring time front suspension upgrade project.
Bushings,ball joints,shocks,springs.

Anyway, on the front upper control arms when replacing the bushings, do you remove the shafts ?

My pass side has several shims and i was looking at the moog problem solver offset shaft, then was wondering how to swap out the shaft ? Car is in storage soo i can get a good look right now.

Steve Wood · 11-07-2009, 12:08 AM

Not sure if I quite understand, but...

you pop the ball joint loose, take the two nuts off that hold the shim packs in place, and pull the arm off.

Then you pull the bushing out of one side, and then the other. The shaft can then come out.

I have used an air hammer to knock the rear one out while mounted on the car, but, it is easier to take the arm off and use a puller to ease the bushings out....

pacecarta · 11-07-2009, 08:28 AM

problem solver isnt for fixing a few shims , its for fixing when your down to zero shims and need to take out more to get the car to spec or if flipped it can help when you have excess amount of shims (like front and rear both over 3/4"of shim)

pacecarta · 11-07-2009, 08:54 AM

dsa87gn · 11-07-2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacecarta

problem solver isnt for fixing a few shims , its for fixing when your down to zero shims and need to take out more to get the car to spec or if flipped it can help when you have excess amount of shims (like front and rear both over 3/4"of shim)

good info. I gues I dont need them. I have 3 or 4 shims on one side less than 3/4"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Wood

Not sure if I quite understand, but...

you pop the ball joint loose, take the two nuts off that hold the shim packs in place, and pull the arm off.

Then you pull the bushing out of one side, and then the other. The shaft can then come out.

I have used an air hammer to knock the rear one out while mounted on the car, but, it is easier to take the arm off and use a puller to ease the bushings out....

Steve,

I will have the arms off the car. i was wondering if the shafts could be removed before fighting with the bushings. I guess not. the picture becomes even clearer why they are such a pain. The shaft has to be in place before the new ones (at least one anyway, correct ?) can be installed.

I think I may invest in the tool...

Steve Wood · 11-07-2009, 06:14 PM

tool makes it easy....especially if you have an impact wrench

Yeah, you have to remove one, to pull the shaft.

I bought a set on ebay sometime back.....no chance of screwing them up as is possible when using a press-works similar to the factory illustration.

dsa87gn · 11-10-2009, 06:28 PM

anyone have any idea what the part number for the upper rubber bump
stop is ?

it is the one pictured in figure 28 above in steves post

Just a Six?? · 11-11-2009, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsa87gn

anyone have any idea what the part number for the upper rubber bump
stop is ?

it is the one pictured in figure 28 above in steves post

I have some & sent Steve one in a box last year so one of us has the GM box with numbers on them. Just gotta look in the shop. If you PM I will get them by tomorrow or otherwise I will forget without a PM. Someone here must know off hand?

williambavila · 11-11-2009, 08:46 AM

i know that pep boys carries these parts. if you want to let them replace the bushings for you its like 200 for both uppers and alignment.

Steve Wood · 11-11-2009, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dsa87gn

anyone have any idea what the part number for the upper rubber bump
stop is ?

it is the one pictured in figure 28 above in steves post

1362014 from GM

FLR · 11-15-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacecarta

Doc, if I go by this picture; am I to assume the bolts that go into the front upper control arm come out?? We're in the middle of a front end rebuild and we cant get the control arm off from the inside...

Do those bolts come out, or are the permanently attached to the frame?

Pyro6 · 11-15-2009, 05:24 PM

I'm just going to throw my two cents in til the doc gets back. The bolts you're talking about are actually studs pressed into the frame. They are serrated at the base that secures them. That allows the nut to turn while doing a front end alignment. Use your creativity to get the studs out. Sometimes I lever a pry bar and pop them out. I've seen techs air gun the bolt and round off the serrations to remove the stud. That makes it extremely miserable to do an alignement.

11-06-2009, 10:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
dsa87gn Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Lancaster, NY Posts: 240	Front Upper Control Arm shafts I am researching for a spring time front suspension upgrade project. Bushings,ball joints,shocks,springs. Anyway, on the front upper control arms when replacing the bushings, do you remove the shafts ? My pass side has several shims and i was looking at the moog problem solver offset shaft, then was wondering how to swap out the shaft ? Car is in storage soo i can get a good look right now. __________________ 87 GN, Hooker Duals, THDP, 50's, LT1/T+/Extender, Big Mouth CAI, Ported TB/Plenum, Big Neck IC, RJC PP/Pulleys,Razor Alky, Stock Turbo & D5

11-07-2009, 12:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
Steve Wood Scam Detector Enabled Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 43,259	Not sure if I quite understand, but... you pop the ball joint loose, take the two nuts off that hold the shim packs in place, and pull the arm off. Then you pull the bushing out of one side, and then the other. The shaft can then come out. I have used an air hammer to knock the rear one out while mounted on the car, but, it is easier to take the arm off and use a puller to ease the bushings out.... __________________ ------------------ A proud member of Stonewallers Against Bogus Technology www.vortexbuicks-etc.com

11-07-2009, 08:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
pacecarta MAGNABUICK.com .. NJ rep Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: englishtown racewaypark Posts: 3,494	problem solver isnt for fixing a few shims , its for fixing when your down to zero shims and need to take out more to get the car to spec or if flipped it can help when you have excess amount of shims (like front and rear both over 3/4"of shim) __________________ paul ....central NJ the 86 and some other Magna GNs having some fun at Atco Raceway http://videos.streetfire.net/video/e...8c013e4547.htm 2010BPG member... #2045 Last edited by pacecarta; 11-07-2009 at 08:59 AM.

11-07-2009, 08:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
pacecarta MAGNABUICK.com .. NJ rep Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: englishtown racewaypark Posts: 3,494	__________________ paul ....central NJ the 86 and some other Magna GNs having some fun at Atco Raceway http://videos.streetfire.net/video/e...8c013e4547.htm 2010BPG member... #2045 Last edited by pacecarta; 02-02-2010 at 03:31 PM.

11-07-2009, 06:14 PM	#6 (permalink)
Steve Wood Scam Detector Enabled Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 43,259	tool makes it easy....especially if you have an impact wrench Yeah, you have to remove one, to pull the shaft. I bought a set on ebay sometime back.....no chance of screwing them up as is possible when using a press-works similar to the factory illustration. Attached Thumbnails __________________ ------------------ A proud member of Stonewallers Against Bogus Technology www.vortexbuicks-etc.com

11-10-2009, 06:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
dsa87gn Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Lancaster, NY Posts: 240	anyone have any idea what the part number for the upper rubber bump stop is ? it is the one pictured in figure 28 above in steves post __________________ 87 GN, Hooker Duals, THDP, 50's, LT1/T+/Extender, Big Mouth CAI, Ported TB/Plenum, Big Neck IC, RJC PP/Pulleys,Razor Alky, Stock Turbo & D5

11-11-2009, 08:46 AM	#9 (permalink)
williambavila 87gnX2 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: MOORE OKLAHOMA Posts: 849	i know that pep boys carries these parts. if you want to let them replace the bushings for you its like 200 for both uppers and alignment.

11-15-2009, 05:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
Pyro6 '86 GN Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Marietta PA Posts: 867	I'm just going to throw my two cents in til the doc gets back. The bolts you're talking about are actually studs pressed into the frame. They are serrated at the base that secures them. That allows the nut to turn while doing a front end alignment. Use your creativity to get the studs out. Sometimes I lever a pry bar and pop them out. I've seen techs air gun the bolt and round off the serrations to remove the stud. That makes it extremely miserable to do an alignement. __________________ '86 Grand National, MAGNA club member .020 over pistons, forged Eagle rods and JE pistons, steel crank, line bored and balanced, Reed 210/205 cam, Turbo 350 w/reverse manual valve body, C2 9" convertor B & M shifter, Champion heads, 60lb injectors, front intercooler, custom fresh air by H.E. Performance, TT chip, PL, broken Scanmaster, WB Best run: 11.37 @ 118.00. Best 60' 1.580 Still no alky. Gary BPG member #2164

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