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Control Arm Bushings/Suspension Help

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Control Arm Bushings/Suspension Help Empty Control Arm Bushings/Suspension Help

Post by Hawk03 Wed May 01, 2013 2:07 pm

I'm having trouble trying to figure out how many bushings I need to rebuild my front control arms. I don't have my car near me so I can't look (I also left my manual at my parents house).

I know there is one upper and one lower ball joint for each side. Also, what is the diameter of the front sway bar? I've seen a couple of different sizes for bushings. I'm planning on ordering from Rock Auto.

How about the rear, what is needed to rebuild those? I just need new bushing to rebuild nothing performance related.


Last edited by Hawk03 on Thu May 02, 2013 11:11 am; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : changed title)
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Post by patriot_5420 Wed May 01, 2013 2:22 pm

IIRC is two upper bushings, two lower, upper and lower ball joints, bump stop, and upper and lower isolators per side. Not sure what all options there were on sway bars over the years, across models and option and so on but on my 73 elkay custom 350 its a 7/8" front sway bar stock.

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Post by thatfnthing Wed May 01, 2013 2:44 pm

Just did all these on mine:

Front (each wheel):
- upper and lower ball joints
- upper and lower bump stops
- 2 bushings lower control arm
- 2 bushings upper control arm
- sway bar endlink
- no isolators

Rear (all together):
- 2 isolators
- two bushings for each lower trailing arm
- two bushings for each upper trailing arm (one on diff, one on arm)

As for sway bar diameter, I don't know if they varied in size -- your best bet will be to measure it.
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Post by Hawk03 Wed May 01, 2013 3:22 pm

Thanks guys! I put my order in so hopefully I ordered all I needed. If not it seems the local auto stores carry this stuff.
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Post by dynchel Wed May 01, 2013 6:07 pm

I'll just put this out there, the best way I've found to measure sway bar diameter is to put a open end wrench over the bar. Ie, if a 7/8 th's wrench fits its a 7/8 bar.
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Post by patriot_5420 Wed May 01, 2013 6:26 pm

Eh calipers arent a horribly expensive tool and they come in mighty handy in several projects especially custom fab or finding takeoff parts from different cars. I picked up my digital 6" calipers for less than $40.

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Post by pila Wed May 01, 2013 8:43 pm

Every G3 I've owned ( 6) had a 7/8' bar when I bought them.

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Post by Joe73 Wed May 01, 2013 9:40 pm

My SS came with a 1 1/8" front bar. The other 7 73's all came with 7/8" front bars.
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Post by Hawk03 Thu May 02, 2013 10:03 am

Thanks for the info. I ordered the "Moog K6161 bushings Front To Frame; w/1" to 1-9/64" Bar; w/tabs on mounting clamp." They were less than $4 so if they don't fit I'm not out too much.

I will probably be ordering my springs and shocks today. I might as well get new if I'm going to the trouble of replacing everything else.

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Post by Hawk03 Thu May 02, 2013 11:26 am

I've been reading through a few threads trying to decide what springs to order and install, economically. I want about a 1-2" drop all around. If I cut the front springs is it best to get the Heavy Duty springs or the Standard Duty OE springs, I'm not sure what the difference is. For the rears I was thinking of ordering the Suspension Techniques rear springs which have a 1" drop. Once they are on I would decide if I need it lower and cut them but they should be fine. Or is it just as good to order new OE rear springs and cut them? The car isn't going to be a daily driver but I want a decent ride quality.

I've decided to go with KYB Gas-A-Just for the front shocks and the KYB GR-2 for the rears.

Link for rear springs
http://www.ebay.com/itm/271190194209?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
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Post by Joe73 Thu May 02, 2013 12:09 pm

The pic in that link is for front springs. The rear springs in out cars have "pig" tails on both ends. So no cutting the rear springs. I'd hit napaonline.com and and look at the specs for rear springs and try to find something a little lower to match up. You can always put a spacer in the back if its to low.

As for the fronts, I'd go with HD springs before you cut so they will be a little stiffer. Standard springs will be too soft. You need to have a little more stiffness up front so you dont bottom out as much.
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Post by Hawk03 Thu May 02, 2013 2:13 pm

Thanks Joe! I'm scratching the Suspension Techniques and going with Belltech rear springs. Summit says it will drop about 2".

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Belltech-Coil-Spring-Kit-5120-/151025021389?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Year%3A1977|Make%3AChevrolet|Model%3AMalibu&hash=item2329caf1cd&vxp=mtr

Or I might just spend the extra $25 and get all four Belltech and not deal with cutting.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=161004657914&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en
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Post by brownbomber77 Thu May 02, 2013 8:55 pm

I have suspension techniques on mine...not that it matters since the body isn't on...nor the engine in it. Just keep in mind header clearance to the ground. I chose my springs because it was 1.5 inch drop with a big block...

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