HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

Hey all,
Once again I show my utmost ignorance with a 67-72 truck rebuild!!!
I took my whole entire front end apart to por15 the frame. I somehow lost the shims that go on the upper control arm shafts that align the camber.(i believe) I also cant remember where the spacers go or how to properly assemble the lower/upper shaft assys. can someone please come to my rescue!!! This is my first truck, or any auto rebuild for that matter and I have been schooled in the "school of hard knocks" and it sucks. Can some of you guys that are knowledgeable about these things take some time out of your busy schedules to get me back on track. REAL elementary descriptions and pics would be soooooo helpful.
Your help and info. is greatly, greatly, appreciated!!
SHAHOU8@aol.com

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

67 chevy heaven- Slow down, take a deep breath and relax. Your not the first one that has taken something apart and can't remember how to put it back together.
what I recommend is taking pics before you disassemble, and bag and tag your parts.

Let me dig through my files and see what I can find for suspension pics.

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

here is a shot of the upper
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-W...2/SL386152.JPG

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

N2TRUX you are right. thanks for the pep talk I really needed it. I knew to place parts in labeled bags but I just got ahead of myself getting everything ready to be coated. Your help and pics will be greatly appreciated.
Fleet 72 thanks for the pic. Can you tell me what is behind the shims?
I have the concave spacers but I dont have everything that is labeled in the LMC catalog.
I would like clear pics and a list of what part/piece goes on at the place.
Thanks again guys. Your time and help is really appreciated.
Can someone tell me if I will be able determine what size shim/shims what will be needed to have the correct alignment of the front end?

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

Does this help?

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-p...2/SL386154.JPG



From LMC's page:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0...s789/front.jpg

13 is listed as a flat washer and 14, a nut.
On my truck, which as far as I know is still mostly factory, looks like a self-aligning washer set.


http://images2.mcmaster.com/Contents...g?ver=25011999

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

FLEET72, I love the help. In the diagram, the #10 part is something that I do not have. Is this a standard piece? Or is this only on 3/4 ton trucks only?

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

also, what about the shims that are shaped like a "Y" since I no longer have them will I be able to find someone (front end shop may be) that can figure out which ones that I will need

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

can anyone else get me a few pics of their control arms that are a little cleaner?
I am so thankful for all help,

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

#9 is your alignment shims. You should be able to get those at your local auto parts store, since it is a common part. Sounds like you need to have it aligned as well, after dis-assembling the front suspension. Wherever you take it to be aligned, should have those as well. They get removed or more installed to adjust the camber of your wheel.

I have the #10 part on my truck, but not sure if that is through all the years. Mine is an 84. Maybe the 67-72 trucks don't have them.

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

I put mine back together the way I took it apart. That don't mean it's right. I did not have item 10 but I did have items 13 & 14 and 9 the shims. When you put the lower shaft back together pay attenion to the recessed hole in the shaft and the protrution on your fwd clamp they fit together. Have you got a shop manual? That would help you too. My truck is a 1972 1/2 ton.

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

Some from my 72. hope it helps

Rob

http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...c/IMG_3819.jpg
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...c/IMG_3817.jpg
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...c/IMG_3816.jpg
http://i1216.photobucket.com/albums/...c/IMG_3815.jpg

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

Just for you! :smoke:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v...2/SL386181.JPG
The convex washer I could not budge, the concave washer I am holding here.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7...2/SL386179.JPG
The shim stack on the passenger side of my truck. I don't think it matters WHAT is filling that dimension as long as it is the correct thickness to achieve proper alignment.

If you get it pretty close, you can drive it to an alignment shop and have them do a proper job so you don't wear out your tires.

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

The lower shaft:

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2...M/s756/LCA.jpg

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-R...2/SL386184.JPG

Up close:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--...2/SL386186.JPG

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

Anybody have an idea of what size the nut is on the upper & lower control arm shaft?
I am about to remove the shafts on my 72. The lower shafts have no play or any signs of wear but I am doing a complete suspension resto and want to know it is all new. I have never done the lower CA before, so if anybody has any information to offer I would be indebted. Really need to know the sizes of the nuts so I can go rent the tool, no sense in buying them, because I will have no need for them after this.

Thanks in Advance

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

I know this is an old thread but the # 10 looks like the washer that it flat on one side and curved on the other. The curved side goes towards the shaft if your shaft uses them. The 73-87 shafts I am installing use this shaft and washer. I am going to us the 2 piece style first than shims and then the #10 washer then the shaft. Hope it works. Oh also my shaft nuts were 3/4".
Good luck
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Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

okay I have a question... when I install my tubular control arms do I reuse the dished spacers? the female and male spacers from above? I have a 67 c10 with cpp tubular uppers and 85 factory stamped lowers. any help appreciated.

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

The arms shafts should seat squarely & flush. If you need the curved spacers to keep things seated correctly, use them. If the arms seat correctly w/o them, they're not needed.

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

to old yeller72, upper control arm uses 1 3/8 and lower uses 1 5/8. I bought 3/4 inch drive sockets with a 3/4 to 1/2 adapter at autozone, sockets were about 9 bucks apiece.

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

Okay so I don't have to use the one that presses on? I figured it secured the stud in place by sandwiches the frame.
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Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

This is great - thank you all so much for the parts info and close up photos as I am about to do the same thing with a disc brake conversion and replacing my control arms & front cross member due to rust.

Question : When bolting back on the (‘new’) front cross member : do you use a washer on the bolt head side (it appears GM didn't originally) and on the other/nut side do you use a 'washer/ then lock washer/then regular nut' or do you use a 'washer and lock nut' ? What do you all do/suggest please ?

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

Ralph (1970 gmc) I just put the crossmember in my truck and mine was flat washer, then lock washer, then nut. the original was that way and was a little loose And i used lock nuts and tightened to specs.

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

Spatz : thank you, that sounds good - I'm curious about "tightened to specs" - could you tell me more about the specs please.

Ralph

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

specs should be for side frame rail 55 - 75 ft lbs and for lower frame rail three bolts are 80 to 120 ft lbs straight from the assembly manual.

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

spatz : Thanks again - much appreciated !

Ralph

Re: HELP!!! upper/lower control arm info needed
 

Bringing back an old thread because I have some questions regarding the spherical washers seen in the pictures. Do they serve a purpose or can i use regular washers?

The 71-72 cross shafts are flat, unlike my original 68 shaft which curved and used a washer that was flat on one side and curved on the other. So can I just use some regular washers and let the alignment guy add shims as needed?

Thank you!