Lower Control Arm End Nut Replacement - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TXScooter · 03-28-2020, 12:11 PM

I am in need of the genius minds out there. I have been replacing the front suspension on my 64 C10 SWB and ran into a problem after I had it all together. When I started greasing everything, I found that one of the end nuts on the lower control arm was cracked on the “flats” (grease was squirting out from the flats). So, I need to replace it. I was hoping that someone out there would let me know if it is possible to replace the end nut without having to remove the entire control arm (undoing everything I just did).

My current idea is to place a pole jack under the control arm just for support. Remove the cracked end nut. Use the pole jack to center the shaft and then replace the end nut. Crazy?

**The Rocknrod** · 03-28-2020, 12:21 PM

Think of it as if you were putting it together. When you put the nut on did it have to be apart?

TXScooter · 03-28-2020, 01:23 PM

Good idea but the control arm was assembled off the truck because I replaced the entire control arm.

I’m concerned that the pressure from the spring will cause the control are to drop down and prevent the end nut from going back on. This is why I was thinking if I can support the control are with the pole jack, it might stay in place and I can get the nut back on the control arm shaft. The control arm shaft shouldn’t move because it is bolted to the cross member. Just wondering if I am missing something or if someone has already done something similar.

**The Rocknrod** · 03-28-2020, 01:40 PM

What's holding the entire lower control arm to the front cross-member?

TXScooter · 03-28-2020, 06:00 PM

The lower control arm shaft is held on by 2 u-bolts that connect to the cross member. The front of the control arm is connect to the spindle. I’ve attached another picture that may help. In the pic you can barely see one of the u-bolts that connects to the control arm shaft. It’s right under the tie rod adjuster.

**The Rocknrod** · 03-28-2020, 06:20 PM

So other than the two U-Bolts . . .

demian5 · 03-31-2020, 06:02 PM

You can try removing by supporting with a floor jack but its gonna move. You have to figure out how to keep the arm up at the top and from shifting forwards or backwards at the ball joint. Maybe a jack stand at the top and floor jack at the ball joint then another floor jack under the cross member to raise and lower truck. Should be fairly simple as the rear cap will keep the arm from moving forwards and backwards.

TXScooter · 04-02-2020, 12:25 PM

Thanks for the input from all. I’ll be attempting this over the weekend so I’ll let you know how it goes.

TXScooter · 05-02-2020, 06:16 PM

I just wanted to update this thread with the final result of my efforts. I used pole jacks to support the control arm in a couple of places before undoing the control arm end nut. I used a 1 5/8” socket to loosen the end nut. The arm did shift a bit when the nut was removed but I was able to use the pole jack to re-center the control arm shaft in the control arm and then screw on the end nut again. I screwed the nut on until it was tight but it still didn’t screw all the way back into the control arm but it was completely tight. I greased it and that was it. Inserted a few pics to show what I described.

TXScooter · 05-02-2020, 06:17 PM

Sorry they are all sideways

SCOTI · 05-07-2020, 10:06 AM

Looks like that worked well.

03-28-2020, 12:11 PM	#1
TXScooter Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Dallas Posts: 13	Lower Control Arm End Nut Replacement I am in need of the genius minds out there. I have been replacing the front suspension on my 64 C10 SWB and ran into a problem after I had it all together. When I started greasing everything, I found that one of the end nuts on the lower control arm was cracked on the “flats” (grease was squirting out from the flats). So, I need to replace it. I was hoping that someone out there would let me know if it is possible to replace the end nut without having to remove the entire control arm (undoing everything I just did). My current idea is to place a pole jack under the control arm just for support. Remove the cracked end nut. Use the pole jack to center the shaft and then replace the end nut. Crazy? Attached Images __________________ _____________________ 1964 Chevy C10 SWB 350 V8 with 1968 Saginaw 3 speed on the tree

03-28-2020, 12:21 PM	#2
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Re: Lower Control Arm End Nut Replacement Think of it as if you were putting it together. When you put the nut on did it have to be apart? __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?

03-28-2020, 01:23 PM	#3
TXScooter Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Dallas Posts: 13	Re: Lower Control Arm End Nut Replacement Good idea but the control arm was assembled off the truck because I replaced the entire control arm. I’m concerned that the pressure from the spring will cause the control are to drop down and prevent the end nut from going back on. This is why I was thinking if I can support the control are with the pole jack, it might stay in place and I can get the nut back on the control arm shaft. The control arm shaft shouldn’t move because it is bolted to the cross member. Just wondering if I am missing something or if someone has already done something similar. __________________ _____________________ 1964 Chevy C10 SWB 350 V8 with 1968 Saginaw 3 speed on the tree Last edited by TXScooter; 03-28-2020 at 01:42 PM.

03-28-2020, 01:40 PM	#4
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Re: Lower Control Arm End Nut Replacement What's holding the entire lower control arm to the front cross-member? __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?

03-28-2020, 06:00 PM	#5
TXScooter Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Dallas Posts: 13	Re: Lower Control Arm End Nut Replacement The lower control arm shaft is held on by 2 u-bolts that connect to the cross member. The front of the control arm is connect to the spindle. I’ve attached another picture that may help. In the pic you can barely see one of the u-bolts that connects to the control arm shaft. It’s right under the tie rod adjuster. Attached Images __________________ _____________________ 1964 Chevy C10 SWB 350 V8 with 1968 Saginaw 3 speed on the tree

03-28-2020, 06:20 PM	#6
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Re: Lower Control Arm End Nut Replacement So other than the two U-Bolts . . . __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?

03-31-2020, 06:02 PM	#7
demian5 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 2,177	Re: Lower Control Arm End Nut Replacement You can try removing by supporting with a floor jack but its gonna move. You have to figure out how to keep the arm up at the top and from shifting forwards or backwards at the ball joint. Maybe a jack stand at the top and floor jack at the ball joint then another floor jack under the cross member to raise and lower truck. Should be fairly simple as the rear cap will keep the arm from moving forwards and backwards. __________________ "Work hard, use your vacation days." 1970 C15 GMC Long Bed 1986 C20 Scottsdale 1983 K2500 Sierra Classic Suburban 6.2 Instagram: C10sofOC

04-02-2020, 12:25 PM	#8
TXScooter Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Dallas Posts: 13	Re: Lower Control Arm End Nut Replacement Thanks for the input from all. I’ll be attempting this over the weekend so I’ll let you know how it goes. __________________ _____________________ 1964 Chevy C10 SWB 350 V8 with 1968 Saginaw 3 speed on the tree

05-02-2020, 06:16 PM	#9
TXScooter Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Dallas Posts: 13	Re: Lower Control Arm End Nut Replacement I just wanted to update this thread with the final result of my efforts. I used pole jacks to support the control arm in a couple of places before undoing the control arm end nut. I used a 1 5/8” socket to loosen the end nut. The arm did shift a bit when the nut was removed but I was able to use the pole jack to re-center the control arm shaft in the control arm and then screw on the end nut again. I screwed the nut on until it was tight but it still didn’t screw all the way back into the control arm but it was completely tight. I greased it and that was it. Inserted a few pics to show what I described. Attached Images __________________ _____________________ 1964 Chevy C10 SWB 350 V8 with 1968 Saginaw 3 speed on the tree

05-02-2020, 06:17 PM	#10
TXScooter Registered User Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Dallas Posts: 13	Re: Lower Control Arm End Nut Replacement Sorry they are all sideways __________________ _____________________ 1964 Chevy C10 SWB 350 V8 with 1968 Saginaw 3 speed on the tree

05-07-2020, 10:06 AM	#11
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,068	Re: Lower Control Arm End Nut Replacement Looks like that worked well. __________________ 67SWB-B.B.RetroRod 64SWB-Recycle 89CCDually-Driver/Tow Truck 99CCSWB Driver All Fleetsides @rattlecankustoms in IG Building a small, high rpm engine with the perfect bore, stroke and rod ratio is very impressive. It's like a highly skilled Morrocan sword fighter with a Damascus Steel Scimitar..... *Cubic inches is like Indiana Jones with a cheap pistol.*

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