johnnyrockets

I have a 1968 Cutlass S and am rebuilding the front suspension. I took everything out and am in the process of installing the new parts. I have the upper control arms in and was able to get the right lower control arm in only after grinding down some of the bushing's inner sleeve for a little more clearance but I cannot for the life of me get the Left LCA in. Does anyone have any tips or tricks on getting the LCA in? Any advice would be appreciated.

Macadoo

I assume you're talking about the stock arms, yeah? I replaced mine with tubulars and they took some pretty good whacks with a deadblow hammer but all the videos I watched with stocks arms just slid right in. Have you measured the bushings and compared them to the opening? You shouldn't have to bend anything to get those back in.

Macadoo

And you're greasing the bushings and the opening, yes?

johnnyrockets

Yes, stock repro arms and I greased the bushing and opening with silicone based grease. The right side slid in about halfway before I ground the sleeve down but the left side won't even go in that far. The actual width of the bushings themselves appear to fit fine but the left and right ends of the A arm seem to be spaced about an 1/8th of an inch too close together and therefore I can't slide it straight in. I've tried putting it in from various angles but I'm not anywhere close to getting it in.

Fun71

So they're close, but not quite right.

Macadoo

Another quality reproduction part Sounds like I had an easier time with the eBay tubulars. COuld you open them up a little with a jack or something?

brownbomber77

Even on my truck, I had to whack open the frame mounts a little and then they squeeze in with the bolt. I also used a jack and a prybar to get them into place.

Macadoo

So, how did this turn out? Did you get them in?