Upper control arm shafts and boots??

Upper control arm shafts and boots for 65 Skylark??

What am I supposed to do when these boots are trashed? I can't find them anywhere. I did some searches and some were saying that they aren't made anymore. So, I'm lost. I have all my front end parts here and ready to go in but these are holding me back.

 

I'm not sure about the earlier cars, but the 68-72's don't use a boot on the control arm shafts. Do you have a pic of what you are asking about?

 

<a href="http://s96.photobucket.com/albums/l193/darkstar02496/?action=view&current=SDC10801.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l193/darkstar02496/th_SDC10801.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" ></a>

<a href="http://s96.photobucket.com/albums/l193/darkstar02496/?action=view&current=0718102000-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l193/darkstar02496/th_0718102000-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" ></a>

 

I'm wondering if that is a 64-65 thing. The later model years don't have anything like that in there. The upper bushings come through the arm and the shaft is open there (although there is not a big gap if one at all). I'm wondering if what you are seeing is just what's left of your bushing. How long were the bushing shells when you removed them?

 

The easiest way is to use Chevelle or 66 and later Buick control arms and get rid of the greasable bushings. That is what I did on my 64. Art

 

Would control arms from a 70 Skylark work? I already have new ball joints to put in my current control arms, would I beable to use those on a later model one.

 

The metal bushings were used on 64-65 Buicks and Olds.
Rareparts makes a replacement shaft kit, also carried by NAPA and possibly Autozone.

 

I tried to get onto rare parts to look for it and that website is terrible to navigate through. I got frustrated and said forget it. I'll try NAPA, I don't trust autozone.

Edit: NAPA has them, $151 a piece. Thats a bit much. I can get tubular control arms for that much. I think I might just go that route.

 

I just went through this. Fortunately, while swollen, mine still had some life left in them. Some guys update the front to the newer style with rubber bushings. I think board member GStage1 has some new upper control arms if you want to do the conversion.

 

Personally, if it's apart and you are replacing parts, I would replace them all and update what I could just so I wouldn't (hopefully) have to go back in later. If it's a show car and the "correct" parts are needed, spending the coin may be the only option.

 

I'll see if I can get a hold of him. Mine are very dry and cracked so I don't feel right using them then having it tear and having to go back in.

Definitely not going to be a show car. Just my weekend cruiser and some local shows but will be a driver for sure. I guess I'll just grab some newer ones and call it done.