Gents: After installing new Lower control arm bushings the arm wont fit into its brackets, I am attaching a photo of the installation and I will appreciate any guidance about if this are correctly installed or not, the Shop manual was for me ambiguous about the orientation of them. My initial thought was that this was because it wont matter but after measuring the distance from each bushing side to the center of the leg in the control arm I found they are not the same so orientation can matter. Please note arm its not deformed and each bushing will fit into the chassis bracket standalone so the problem lies in the distance between them. Moreover i was thinking to displace them somewhat so the arm will fit but not sure of any implications of this ao pleas guidance once again appreciated. Best. Raul

 

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Randy: Sorry, what do you mean by Pivot?, the arm looks complete to me maybe its the picture angle?. Regards. Raul

 

Apologies, you posted lower and I read upper. Sorry, my bad.

 

You were supposed to install the center mount/pivot shaft before the second bushing was installed in the arm.

 

Ooops, I thought upper as well....sorry...

 

Are those the right bushings?

 

Sometimes the bushings may not be in far enough to align into the areas they belong or the rubber is a bit thicker and the assy needs to be persuaded into place.

 

You have the bushings installed incorrectly.

Unlike nearly every other Olds ever made, on the 1965-70 full size cars, BOTH lower control arm bushings are installed with the flange facing the REAR of the car. Your forward bushings need to be removed and reinstalled correctly.

Lessons (hopefully) learned:

1) Pay attention when disassembling the old parts

2) READ the Chassis Service Manual - which in this case shows the bushing flanges being installed from the rear (in the photos showing the use of the Kent Moore tools)

 

Thanks to all for the replies, Joe once again come to the rescue. I already figured out both bushing should be facing in the same direction but not which one should be, now its perfectly clear!. Regarding lessons learned and for some peace of mind to myself:

a) I did take note of the old parts but they were already changed form the factory and don't trust local mechanic on this.

b) I looked carefully at the shop manual and never saw BOTH bushings simultaneously for a 52-86 series son I couldn't figure it out exactly how they have to be positioned relative to each other. I guess on analogy for the Upper control arm incorrectly so.

For sure Joe will not like my lesson learned:

a) Take note of the old parts
b) READ carefully the shop manual.
c) IF not sure yet DO NOT DO NOTHING until checking with this FORUM

Best & Thanks

 

In fairness, I only know this because I recently rebuilt the front end in my 67 Delta.

The CSM does show the front bushing being installed from the rear side in the photo in Chapter 3 with the Kent Moore bushing installation tools. At least, it does in the 67 CSM.