Upper and Lower spindle bushing and spindle install

[OGFAIRLADY]

Hello,

This is my first attempt in changing my upper and lower spindles and bushings. So far i have loosened everything out that need’s to be changed and currently the upper arm is off the car and ready for the spindle and bushing’s. I would like to ask what is the proper way to install the upper / lower bushing’s and spindle’s.

Thank you in advance

[Gregs672000]

Jay, not sure your question got answered... are you talking about the bushings in the ends of the upper and lower A arms? Sounds like it... and they're not easy to get on or off. I had to use an impact wrench and even then it was a struggle...

[roysuecan]

I got my lower bushings off with a socket, breaker bar and long piece of pipe as a lever arm. I put the lower a-arm on the floor and stood on it while pushing on the pipe. It worked pretty well.
I didn't remove the upper bushings.

[OGFAIRLADY]

Jay, not sure your question got answered... are you talking about the bushings in the ends of the upper and lower A arms? Sounds like it... and they're not easy to get on or off. I had to use an impact wrench and even then it was a struggle...

Greg, yea I have got some answers, And yes I was talking about the bushings in the ends of the control arms. They are a pain to remove but so far so good I got my upper arm all ready to go and now going to work on the bottom.

Also wanted to ask and confirm that it says 144ft. lbs of torque on the upper bushings. I reached up to 100 and had 44 more to go on both ends and it felt like something would snap. And the spindle felt it was binding so I backed them off and just got them tight enough and spindle centered where there was just little effort to move the spindle freely.

[Egz]

Is there a trick to reinstalling? I'm trying to put the lower bushings in, and they are only half way in and really tight, and the spindle doesn't want to really twist at all. I even put some moly lube on the inside and out. Should I install the nipples and add grease before going further?

[Gregs672000]

I don't know if there is any special trick, but I just remember the whole thing was a struggle. So, you have the A arms disassembled and you're trying to install new bushings onto the spindle, correct? For one, I think I did this with the ball joints off so the arms are free. Lube things up any place where there's gonna be metal to metal contact. I may have chucked the whole thing up in a vise, pretty darn sure I used my air impact wrench until they were set down. Make sure you have the correct arm in position for the front as it has a tab and slot for the sway bar bushing/rubber mount.

[roysuecan]

I noticed some galling on the outer diameters of my old bushings because the fit is so tight. I used anti seize when I put the bushings back into the a arm. They threaded all the way in but were very tight.

[Egz]

I'm just wondering if the the outer threads of the bushing are mangled. They don't have the peaks of a usual thread, more of a rolling hills. They spin fine onto the spindle, its the arm they get stuck in.

Looks like this is going to be an expensive fix. Suggestions for best place for replacements?

[Gregs672000]

Not an expert here, but it is a bushing and not intended to go on easily I don't think. What do you have for force? Air or electric impact? 4ft pipe and a breaker bar? I honestly recall this taking a lot of force to get off and on... I think it may have led me to buy the air impact in the first place. Perhaps an option would be to take them to a shop and have them install the bushings with their power tools? Got any car friends who may have some power tools if you dont? Are you able to post some pics so other experts can see if what you're describing is an issue or normal?

[todd lorber]

I'd say that keep in mind, everything needs to articulate when installed. Sure, you want things tight but if there is binding, it will just wear out that much quicker. I have more experience with upper spindles than lower ones, but as you are installing, you need to keep moving the control arms through their range of motion. Ultimately, the tabs will be suaged to prevent rotation of the bushings so that they won't unscrew. As long as you have the appropriate thread engagement, they are not going to drop out on you. And you should lube them as you are assembling them to minimize metal on metal grinding.

[Egz]

They spin just fine onto the spindle, but the moment they try to engage threads halfway onto the arm, they just tighten right up. If they were close to bottoming out I wouldn't be opposed to impacting them on, but its just too far out. I just can't tell if the threads are dead, or if its something else.

[Curtis]

I made sure there was no galling in the A arms. I believe I ran a flap wheel through them, packed greased on the inside and put a bit on the outside. Ran them in until they were about to or did touch the A arms with the impact wrench. Then torque them as much as I could. Didn't quite make it to 144 lbs.

[Egz]

Well, bit the bullet and ordered new ones. Same problem, so I guess the threads inside the arm are messed up. Does anyone know the thread size that I can find a tap to chase it, if that is even possible?

[Curtis]

I believe I ran a flapper wheel and wire wheel though some A arms I had and it worked well. Bushings put on the wire wheel stand.

[Gregs672000]

Again, NOT AN EXPERT HERE and it's been a few years since I did mine... but I would not expect the bushings to really "thread" in smoothly that much, like a bolt or similar. The spindle itself goes inside the bushing and its movement would not be impacted by the bushing to A arm fitting. I believe that on many other cars using a similar set up they are just pressed into the arm or screwed in with an impact wrench. The fact that there's "threads" is to help with installation so they don't just spin when you put force to them. IMHO, I believe you will be fine using an air or electric impact wrench, lube and a solid means of holding the whole thing and getting medieval on it.

It may be worth checking youtube for something similar to help confirm this. I watched a restoration show on motor trend the other day and watched them do exactly what I describe on an older American car.