How the &@#! do you install the front rubber bumpers in the A-arms? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

glock35ipsc · 04-04-2006, 04:26 PM

First of all, I made the mistake of not putting them in BEFORE I installed the front end. Now that I realized I left them out, I am going through all the skin I have left trying to get then dern things in.

Any suggestions on how to get them in, both upper and lower, without having to pull the spindle and spring??

Tx Firefighter · 04-04-2006, 05:53 PM

I have warmed them in the microwave to soften them enough so that they pop in easier. Ten seconds or so is all it takes.

glock35ipsc · 04-04-2006, 05:59 PM

Thanks TX, I'll give that a try. Getting tired of losing skin on my knuckles! But I'm just glad to be working on this thing again. It was getting lonely!

SCOTI · 04-04-2006, 07:04 PM

I tried TX's method but wasn't successful.

What I did was drill a hole on the front side of the bracket that holds the bump-stop to be able to get a grip on the bottom of the rubber using some needle-nose pliers.

I lubed the bracket w/some dishwashing soap & pushed down on the top while pulling w/the pliers. They popped right in.

**71swb4x4** · 04-04-2006, 07:07 PM

I have heard that freezing them makes them slightly smaller. Most materials contract when cool and expand when warm, except water of course.

jamesi20 · 04-04-2006, 09:45 PM

I used wd-40 on mine and they went in pretty good

qksilver · 04-04-2006, 09:49 PM

sometimes when you freeze rubber it will be brittle, so it is easier to rip or crack it

Green Machine · 04-05-2006, 12:07 AM

I never did get my new repop lower bumpers in, may be they were made a little off, I ended up putting the old ones back in, they were a little loose, but they fit. I even cut a block of 2x4 to wedge between the frame and the bumper, jacking the front to compress the crap out of it, used all kinds of lube, but no go. I just gave up after so many hours wasted on something so simple.

glock35ipsc · 04-05-2006, 12:10 AM

Thanks for all the suggestions! Maybe I'll try a little heat and some grease!?

**71swb4x4** · 04-05-2006, 12:26 AM

If all else fails give the freezer a try. It won't hurt them. If it did we would all (or all of us up North) be in trouble during the winter

Here's an article at Engineers Edge that mentions the freezer trick.
http://www.engineersedge.com/bearing..._press_fit.htm

Here's a thread on Yesterday's Tractor that mentions the same trick.
http://www.ytmag.com/crawlers/messages/32879.html

rkarr · 04-05-2006, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

Thanks for all the suggestions! Maybe I'll try a little heat and some grease!?

Dishsoap worked great for me.

4x4Poet · 04-05-2006, 01:52 AM

Silicone lube is the best lube for inserting rubber in confined spaces or holes. Paste or spray, it's slippier than soap. Harmless to rubber, too, unlike petroleum based lubes.

I would think that freezing would add stiffness making insertion difficult.

Clean jokes only, please.

04-04-2006, 04:26 PM	#1
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,684	How the &@#! do you install the front rubber bumpers in the A-arms? First of all, I made the mistake of not putting them in BEFORE I installed the front end. Now that I realized I left them out, I am going through all the skin I have left trying to get then dern things in. Any suggestions on how to get them in, both upper and lower, without having to pull the spindle and spring?? __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

04-04-2006, 05:53 PM	#2
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: How the &@#! do you install the front rubber bumpers in the A-arms? I have warmed them in the microwave to soften them enough so that they pop in easier. Ten seconds or so is all it takes. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

04-04-2006, 05:59 PM	#3
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,684	Re: How the &@#! do you install the front rubber bumpers in the A-arms? Thanks TX, I'll give that a try. Getting tired of losing skin on my knuckles! But I'm just glad to be working on this thing again. It was getting lonely! __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

04-04-2006, 07:04 PM	#4
SCOTI Registered User Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: DALLAS,TX Posts: 22,133	Re: How the &@#! do you install the front rubber bumpers in the A-arms? I tried TX's method but wasn't successful. What I did was drill a hole on the front side of the bracket that holds the bump-stop to be able to get a grip on the bottom of the rubber using some needle-nose pliers. I lubed the bracket w/some dishwashing soap & pushed down on the top while pulling w/the pliers. They popped right in. __________________ 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.* Last edited by SCOTI; 04-04-2006 at 09:24 PM.

04-04-2006, 07:07 PM	#5
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,499	Re: How the &@#! do you install the front rubber bumpers in the A-arms? I have heard that freezing them makes them slightly smaller. Most materials contract when cool and expand when warm, except water of course. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

04-04-2006, 09:45 PM	#6
jamesi20 Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: NORTHEAST OHIO Posts: 494	Re: How the &@#! do you install the front rubber bumpers in the A-arms? I used wd-40 on mine and they went in pretty good

04-04-2006, 09:49 PM	#7
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: How the &@#! do you install the front rubber bumpers in the A-arms? sometimes when you freeze rubber it will be brittle, so it is easier to rip or crack it

04-05-2006, 12:07 AM	#8
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	Re: How the &@#! do you install the front rubber bumpers in the A-arms? I never did get my new repop lower bumpers in, may be they were made a little off, I ended up putting the old ones back in, they were a little loose, but they fit. I even cut a block of 2x4 to wedge between the frame and the bumper, jacking the front to compress the crap out of it, used all kinds of lube, but no go. I just gave up after so many hours wasted on something so simple. __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0

04-05-2006, 12:10 AM	#9
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,684	Re: How the &@#! do you install the front rubber bumpers in the A-arms? Thanks for all the suggestions! Maybe I'll try a little heat and some grease!? __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

04-05-2006, 12:26 AM	#10
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,499	Re: How the &@#! do you install the front rubber bumpers in the A-arms? If all else fails give the freezer a try. It won't hurt them. If it did we would all (or all of us up North) be in trouble during the winter Here's an article at Engineers Edge that mentions the freezer trick. http://www.engineersedge.com/bearing..._press_fit.htm Here's a thread on Yesterday's Tractor that mentions the same trick. http://www.ytmag.com/crawlers/messages/32879.html __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

04-05-2006, 01:52 AM	#12
4x4Poet Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: "Under Montana skies." Posts: 1,836	Re: How the &@#! do you install the front rubber bumpers in the A-arms? Silicone lube is the best lube for inserting rubber in confined spaces or holes. Paste or spray, it's slippier than soap. Harmless to rubber, too, unlike petroleum based lubes. I would think that freezing would add stiffness making insertion difficult. Clean jokes only, please. __________________ '71 GMC K20 Suburban, '71 GMC K10 Suburban, '72 Chevy C10 CST Suburban, '72 Chevy K20 clunker pickup.

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