Assembling Lower Control Arm

[Bmartin]

I am reassembling my lower control arms with the steering knuckle support.  I need to set the proper alignment of the steering knuckle support with the lower control arm.  I am using the diagram below.  For measurements D and E, what is your measurement point on the lower control arm?  It would seem to indicate the middle of the arm end, but makes more sense to me that you should measure from the inner surface of the control arm.  On the steering knuckle support, would you measure from the unfinished casting edge or the edge of the milled nut surface?

 

 

Also, anyone have a suggestion on the tolerances allowed on these measurements?

[desoto1939]

Brian I have the miller tool that is used to  hold the lower control in position and then you  screw in the outer bushings. This prevents the control arm ends from being pushed into far.

 

 

Rich Hartung

desoto1939@aol.com

[Bmartin]

Thanks Rich, but I did not have to do anything with the rear bushings.  I ended up measuring from the inside lip of the threaded insert of the LCA.  I measured how far it was in from the edge and then marked on the outside and used that for measuring.  I got D and E to match up, C is a little difficult to measure since you need to establish a straight line down to the other end of the LCA. 

[RobertKB]

Most old time mechanics never measured anything when installing these parts. Throw it all together and align using the toe- in, tie rod ends, and caster. Done.

 

Good to be close but never perfect except when from the factory..............................and even then maybe not perfect.

Edited June 3, 2014 by RobertKB

[Dodgeb4ya]

The LCA Miller tool does make it fast fun and easy to do.

Just bolt it to the LCA shaft and assemble the shaft and bushings to the arm - no tight shaft threads to threaded bushing or premature wear and noise from incorrect spacing or location of the shaft to arm.

Edited June 3, 2014 by Dodgeb4ya

[desoto1939]

The LCA Miller tool does make it fast fun and easy to do.

Just bolt it to the LCA shaft and assemble the shaft and bushings to the arm - no tight shaft threads to threaded bushing or premature wear and noise from incorrect spacing or location of the shaft to arm.

 

Brian this is the tool that I also have  and also the upper control arm bushing tool.

 

Rich HArtung

[Bmartin]

Very cool.  Old tools are almost as much fun as the old cars.  I've already got everything back in and installed.  Now its time to install the disk brakes. 

[fstfish66]

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