So my left lower ball joint said goodbye on my first test drive with my 1969 Skylark. Ended up removing the whole lower arm. And whaddya know. The front bushing is TOAST, it wore into the actual arm. Any advice on what to do? I purchased all new bushings and ball joints, but this arm is junk now... cheap tubular arms from jegs/speedway seem to have 50/50 reviews...
I would look for someone selling a used one on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, and put your new ball joints and bushings in that. Just make sure you get the arm that matches the bushings you bought Or the one you took off. Some have oval rear bushings and some have round ones. I installed the cheaper (Chineese I'm sure) new lower control arms for my car. I'm having some issues with the front end, but I don't think it's related to those... yet.
Yup Check around on this site for a good used arm. Maybe even a pair and do both sides. Other side is probably in similar condition. Put a request in the “Parts Wanted “ section as well.
I'm pretty sure they are the same from at least 68-72 (all A bodies). My understanding from another post is that the more performance oriented cars got the round rear bushings and the standard models got the oval ones.
The arms should be all the same for 68-72, but there were 2 different types. Some have an oval bushing at the rear and some were round. Some Buick convertibles came with the oval bushings. If Dano can’t help I have some of both designs. Duane PS, If your bushings were so bad that the bolt ate into the arm I would definitely replace both sides, and really check out the upper ones while you are at it.
Good opportunity to upgrade imo,...if the budget allows the BMR arms are priced around $900 and time you buy bushings cross shafts and joints plus labor to install you'll be close with stock arms
Thanks for the responses fellas! I'm headed to my local classic car graveyard to pick up another arm. I am replacing all the bushings and ball joints on both upper and lowers, along with both outer tie rod ends. I am gonna upgrade my front sway bar. Any recommendations for the better front shocks, I'm done with Monroe.
If your new used control arms are in good shape and the ball joints and bushings are good, don't replace them. You'll be installing cheap Chinese replacement parts that will probably fail before the originals would have. In my 94 Caprice wagon with 152k miles, until last week when I installed nos upper control arms, the only steering or suspension part that I replaced was a right outer tie rod. The original lasted 20 years. Replacement only lasted about 3 years before it failed. A guy that I worked with has a 71 Nova. He replaced all of the control arm bushings probably 12 or so years ago. He didn't fully tighten the bolts because there is no engine or trans in the car. All of his control arm bushings are cracked. Car has never left the garage. If the ball joint boots are bad, Summit sells a replacement kit.
You won't be sorry if you get the Bilstein shocks. They are a bit pricey, but, worth the money. https://www.tirerack.com/suspension...oModel=Chevelle+SS&autoYear=1970&autoModClar=
I used the KYB Excel-G shocks in the GS400, but don't have much feedback on them yet. I think I've only put 50-ish miles on them so far.
