View Full Version : Lower Control Arms...
Hello Folks..
Ok.....I went out today.....and lo and behold my driver side shock was poking out my LCA...So I guess I gotta replace that. Do I need to use 1988 LCA...or do I have a choice???..and...Since I will have to disassemble all this....could I get Tublar control arms that have the same shape and such as stock???...And finally.....Who sells them???
Thanks....
Moo
there are 2 bolts that hold the shock into the LCA. You need those, not a new lca
there are 2 bolts that hold the shock into the LCA. You need those, not a new lca
No the bolts are still on the shock....Trust it...it is big hole...See pic
Pic of Shock (http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u56/tuteuk/truck/dws070326-006.jpg)
Mikz86TA
07-08-07, 11:18 PM
Did the LCA break where it mounts? Weird for that to happen. GlobalWest, DJM, Sphon and a few others sell the tubular ones. They are $$$ IMO. HHead had some that sets the spring lower, which will lower the ride height without changing the comfort level you already have. I think the 1st and 2nd gen trucks use the same ones....but I am not positive
Did the LCA break where it mounts? Weird for that to happen. GlobalWest, DJM, Sphon and a few others sell the tubular ones. They are $$$ IMO. HHead had some that sets the spring lower, which will lower the ride height without changing the comfort level you already have. I think the 1st and 2nd gen trucks use the same ones....but I am not positive
I think the plate the shock mounts to rusted through...If you look at the pic my above post..the shock bolts are still attached to the shock...hence the reason I think I need to replace it...
hmmm...But if I use Lowered LCA it drops my Arm height to the ground as well...this way if I want to drop lower in the future..the dropped LCa will get in the way...Maybe I post a project thread, with my plans for this truck..and others can help me tweek it so I spend my dollars smart....
Cause I am a computer genius.....Not a mechanic....but I learn fast...LOL
Hammer Head
07-08-07, 11:56 PM
If you use the LCAs I have w/ 2" spindles you'd have a 5" static drop on the front using stock height springs.
If you use the LCAs I have w/ 2" spindles you'd have a 5" static drop on the front using stock height springs.
5 is a bit much for what I have in mind for this truck...I am kinda looking for a 4/5 drop...I worry that 5 inches in the front will drop too much and I could get hung up on stuff..manhole covers and such....and.....I am not going with air...only static drop.....If I change my mind at a later date....your arms will make my LCA actually 3 inches closer to the ground..right????I think....Dammm I am so confused about all this stuff...I know what I want to do..but trying to find relevant and accurte info seems to be the problem.....More research I guess.....I will keep your parts in mind..when I finally figure out what I need for parts....Until then...the truck will have to stay parked I guess...:(
Hammer Head
07-09-07, 03:29 AM
Well if you just want an OEM replacement you can use ANY S truck LCA.. they're all the same unless it's a 4x4 & uses a torsion bar front suspension. You may even be able to use a G body or 3rd gen F body lower & change out the bushings to the S truck style since they all carry the same PN for the LCAs. As far as my 3" drop LCAs.. they're new, I haven't bolted them on & couldn't tell you for sure how close they are to the ground but my guess from lookin at them in comparison to OEM they're somewhere between 2-3" farther down on the spring perch.
Well if you just want an OEM replacement you can use ANY S truck LCA.. they're all the same unless it's a 4x4 & uses a torsion bar front suspension. You may even be able to use a G body or 3rd gen F body lower & change out the bushings to the S truck style since they all carry the same PN for the LCAs.
That I did not know...So basically....I got a whole scrapyard to choose from......Thats cool...Well thanks for the info...Off to the yard I go....hmmm...now to find a spring compressor....I think...LOL...
Mikz86TA
07-09-07, 10:45 AM
Do youself a favor...go ahead and get new bushings for them (EnergySuspension has nice poly ones which will tighten up the feel) and also get new lower ball joints. Easier to do maintenence now, especially if the a-arms are used. Moog IMO are the best ones to get.
Do youself a favor...go ahead and get new bushings for them (EnergySuspension has nice poly ones which will tighten up the feel) and also get new lower ball joints. Easier to do maintenence now, especially if the a-arms are used. Moog IMO are the best ones to get.
Hmmm good point....since I got it all apart anyways.....Hmmm maybe now is good time to do the drop too.....hmmm....Checks secret piggy bank..(rattle, rattle.)...not yet it seems but soon. I am so trying to stay away from air suspension...But dammm it...it is almost cheaper to go that route now a days.....But I want the use of the bed of the truck......but it would look so darn nummmy....on air...hmmm decisions ..decisions.....Have to wait until the girl gets home...she is the decision breaker..errr maker....And we can see what develops....hmmm..thought to ponder....
oh look.....A saltlick.....lol
87wildside
07-09-07, 02:48 PM
You can still haul stuff with air. You can get a real good drop without cutting into the bed as well.
Mikz86TA
07-09-07, 03:22 PM
Bilstien has a slick new shock (looks like the ZQ8 shocks) that has nice valving and they added a airbag to the upper portion. Firestone bag I think and its 1 peice.
87wildside
07-09-07, 03:34 PM
Link?
Mikz86TA
07-09-07, 04:36 PM
Well, here it is, but its not what I originally thought. Maybe of use for somebody though http://www.truckspring.com/firestone-level-rite-air-over-shock-system-1003.html I guess its under the Firestone name cause I couldnt find it at Bilsteins site.
Link?
Suicide doors has them too...
Link (http://suicidedoors.com/air_over.php)
...Moo
Do youself a favor...go ahead and get new bushings for them (EnergySuspension has nice poly ones which will tighten up the feel) and also get new lower ball joints. Easier to do maintenence now, especially if the a-arms are used. Moog IMO are the best ones to get.
Thats what Ive got for both of the suspension and ball joints
Thats what Ive got for both of the suspension and ball joints
OK....I'm sold new bushings....
And once I get The LCA's
Front Drop Parts
2" drop spindles, Bel-2100
1 inch drop Coils 6 cyl= BEL-4202
Rear Option
3 inch drop leaf spring, Bel-5954
1 inch straight blocks= BEL-6000
Drop Shocks BEL-7503
Yippeemooo...:)
Mikz86TA
07-09-07, 11:20 PM
Thats gonna start looking good John. Clean em good, shoot it with some good epoxy enamel or chassis paint....the LCA's I mean. The bushings will likely need to be pressed in/out. Id paint em with the old ones in and then have them done. OEM ball joints either are pressed in or have 3 rivits. New ones either press in...MOOG makes a 'problem solver' for the pressed in ones thats slightly oversize. In case of wear B4. Or the replacement for the rivit ones will come with nuts n bolts. On my TA, I refinished the A-arm myself but didnt have a press....had a friend do it at his shop. Got him a 12 pk of his favorite brewski =)
Thats gonna start looking good John. Clean em good, shoot it with some good epoxy enamel or chassis paint....the LCA's I mean. The bushings will likely need to be pressed in/out. Id paint em with the old ones in and then have them done. OEM ball joints either are pressed in or have 3 rivits. New ones either press in...MOOG makes a 'problem solver' for the pressed in ones thats slightly oversize. In case of wear B4. Or the replacement for the rivit ones will come with nuts n bolts. On my TA, I refinished the A-arm myself but didnt have a press....had a friend do it at his shop. Got him a 12 pk of his favorite brewski =)
Yes makes sense to shoot......the paint that way...LOL....As for the Ball joints....I will cross that bridge when I get there...but thanks for the info...Wonder how much computer equipment I would have to trade for a garage...LOL...
Thanks...
Lower balljoints are pressed in. Harbor Freight (cheep tool place around here) has presses for like 25 bucks, and we use ours SEVERAL times daily with no signs of failure around. When you press the new one back in, dont put the zerk in until its all done and in. As far as the bushings, mine came out with a lot of convincing with an air chisel, and a badass press
Mikz86TA
07-10-07, 08:24 PM
Yeah, I got the old bushings out with a BFH, sockets and a extention. But narfled them in the process and there was NOOO WAYYY I was going to f**k up the new ones =)
87wildside
07-11-07, 12:36 AM
I bought the Energy suspension bushings without the outer metal sleeve and burnt the old ones out with a propane torch. The smell was horrible.
Mikz86TA
07-11-07, 01:06 AM
Mmmmm..burning rubber
87wildside
07-11-07, 01:19 AM
Greasy, dry rotted rubber. I like the smell from burn outs.
Yeah, I got the old bushings out with a BFH, sockets and a extention. But narfled them in the process and there was NOOO WAYYY I was going to f**k up the new ones =)
I was thinking drill out the rivets......then the BFH...LOL
87wildside
07-11-07, 01:28 AM
Only the uppers have rivets for the ball joints. All the bushings and the lower balljoints are pressed in.
Hammer Head
07-11-07, 01:31 AM
I have a new set of Moog lower ball joints. I thought I needed them when I got the LCAs but they already had them in place.
Only the uppers have rivets for the ball joints. All the bushings and the lower balljoints are pressed in.
beat me to it.
Why did you get them without the metal sleeves? I think mine came with the sleeve, didnt even know it was an option
87wildside
07-11-07, 01:39 AM
I don't have a press and once the truck was apart I had no way to get everything to the machine shop.
Hammer Head
07-11-07, 01:45 AM
I hate when that happens..
87wildside
07-11-07, 01:51 AM
Walking with parts, or having to plan for crap like that?
Hammer Head
07-11-07, 01:55 AM
yes
A little Update..
In my neck of the woods it seems that my little dime has no part numbers...LOL....I called parts source for a Set of LCA's.....No part number came up on there computer..The kid on the phone just said sorry we do not carry that part..and hung up...
Next I called Napa..., No where in this London Ontario area could this guy get me a set....he would check with his suppliers, and I got a callback about 1/2 hour later to be told no go...
Canadian tire.....Nope..
Speedy...Nope...
Every scrapyard in London......Nope...
Now I'm starting to wonder if this truck is cursed..LOL
Finally.....just like the truck, I got them on ebay...:)
Now the NEW LCA's are coming....and..
2 inch drop spindles.
1 inch drop coils
4 inch drop blocks....Temp until lowering leaves come.
Toxic lowering shocks all around....
Yippeeeeeeeeeeeemooooo...
One Happy cow....
P.S.
New window cranks too..Teaser pic...
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u56/tuteuk/truck/misc/kpc_01.jpg
Mikz86TA
07-31-07, 01:09 PM
Those cranks are blingin!! Nice =) Glad to see you finally got the parts. Sounds like a frustrating time.
Those cranks are blingin!! Nice =) Glad to see you finally got the parts. Sounds like a frustrating time.
Yeah it has been a long haul no doubt...but it was all worth it for my dime...LOL...Oh and the cranks can be had from AVS in Cali..Link Below
http://avsontheweb.com/store/index.php?cPath=199&osCsid=496e316a406a4e3365ef047872918555
Hammer Head
07-31-07, 02:11 PM
pretty neat lookin cranks
Mikz86TA
07-31-07, 09:03 PM
GET CRUNK!!!:drunkcheers: :ravedj:
pretty neat lookin cranks
They have a few others too Flames, some other really slick looking ones...And the shipping to canada is excellent...They use USPS so no duty...:)
droopy89
08-01-07, 03:18 AM
my cranks look kinda like that
Got a few packages from the USPS man the other day....thought I would share...:)
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u56/tuteuk/truck/suspension/IM0012806.jpg
Belltech 2 inch Drop Spindles
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u56/tuteuk/truck/suspension/IM0012811.jpg
1 inch Drop Coils, Western Chassis
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u56/tuteuk/truck/suspension/IM001286.jpg
4 inch "Angled" Drop Blocks, Belltech
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u56/tuteuk/truck/suspension/IM001300.jpg
Front and Rear Belltech Nitro Drop Shocks
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u56/tuteuk/truck/inside/IM001282.jpg
And of course...THE BLING!!
I am one Happy Bovine, and the LCA's are here too, sorry no pics yet..:(
Chrisvich
08-17-07, 11:55 PM
Very nice...you should do a step by step with pics on install for future people wanting to know how to drop their ride.
87wildside
08-18-07, 12:57 AM
Nice. Glad to see Beltech stop using the cast POS blocks and stepped up to the extruded design.
Just a heads up, a few day before you are going to pull it apart spray the the rear lower shock mounts with some good penetrating lube. When you go to take it apart I would suggest keeping a propane torch handy and but some heat to the bolts if they are frozen. Just make sure to point the flame down so you don't heat up the shock, could get messy if they burst.
Good luck with it and post up some before and after pics for us.
Mikz86TA
08-18-07, 01:17 AM
Whoah...nice parts!
Very nice...you should do a step by step with pics on install for future people wanting to know how to drop their ride.
yes this is in the works no doubt...But first my POS cam is going to get a upgrade to the garbage and a new one will be bought soon..:)
Nice. Glad to see Beltech stop using the cast POS blocks and stepped up to the extruded design.
Just a heads up, a few day before you are going to pull it apart spray the the rear lower shock mounts with some good penetrating lube. When you go to take it apart I would suggest keeping a propane torch handy and but some heat to the bolts if they are frozen. Just make sure to point the flame down so you don't heat up the shock, could get messy if they burst.
Good luck with it and post up some before and after pics for us.
Good call I had not thought about that...Thanks....
And yes pics...lots of pics.....just got to get a new cam now..then we got pics...lots of pics..LOL
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