Author Topic: Where to buy Lower Control Arms?  (Read 4379 times)

Offline 1985ChevyC10

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 4
  • Newbie
Where to buy Lower Control Arms?
« on: December 08, 2019, 06:35:19 PM »
Hi all, Just joined the site. Sorry 1st post is a question but here we go...
I cant find stock replacement lower control arms (LCA) anywhere for my 85 c10. I can only find tubular control arms which I bellieve requires an end-link style sway bar.

I found some "cheap" tubular control arms from cj pony parts with their classic performace parts LCA have you guys used these parts before? what did you think about them?

I'm not considering reusing the old ones or buying used because I just went through this in my other truck (95 gmc) which needed new control arms all around anyway. Also, Im looking to keep the truck stock height and I already have coil springs so Im not looking to switch to coil overs just yet.

Thanks in advance!
-Dave

Offline VileZambonie

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18979
Re: Where to buy Lower Control Arms?
« Reply #1 on: December 10, 2019, 05:34:21 PM »
Unless yours are bent or rotted why not just put new bushings in?
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline JohnnyPopper

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2526
  • Old Goof
Re: Where to buy Lower Control Arms?
« Reply #2 on: December 10, 2019, 08:29:55 PM »
I'm with VZ, what is wrong with your LCA except the soft parts?
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline 1985ChevyC10

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 4
  • Newbie
Re: Where to buy Lower Control Arms?
« Reply #3 on: December 10, 2019, 11:07:56 PM »
I recently got another truck and did the same project on it which is 10 years newer and about the same miles (~100k). I wanted to save the control arms and just press in the bushings and ball joints but 3/4 of them were warped and sway bar end link wore away part of the control arm (in the attached pic). This truck's suspension has been needing this done for years and am just in a position to work on it. I would love to just re-use the control arms but honestly dont know how they would be salvageable. 

Offline VileZambonie

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18979
Re: Where to buy Lower Control Arms?
« Reply #4 on: December 11, 2019, 05:43:09 AM »
11690 and 11689

https://shop.rareparts.com/search?year=1985&make=CHEVROLET&model=C10

Or get a good used set, powder coat and rebuild them.
,                           ___ 
                         /  _ _ _\_
              ⌠ŻŻŻŻŻ'   [☼===☼]
              `()_);-;()_)--o--)_)

74 GMC, 75 K5, 84 GMC, 85 K20, 86 k20, 79 K10

Offline JohnnyPopper

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2526
  • Old Goof
Re: Where to buy Lower Control Arms?
« Reply #5 on: December 12, 2019, 12:28:15 PM »
Drop them in a 5/1 mixture of water (5) and Molasses. 8.00 per gallon at Costco.

Use a trash can that has a lid, tell you why later...

Let them soak for a few days, and watch as you rinse all that gunk off till they're shiny bright in some spots.

Then see if they can be salvaged, spot welded, etc.

The Molasses mixture will keep for cleaning other parts, but will begin to smell like gym socks. Ergo the lid...

Thanks for the link VZ!
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction

Offline 1985ChevyC10

  • Newbie
  • Posts: 4
  • Newbie
Re: Where to buy Lower Control Arms?
« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2019, 02:26:56 PM »
VZ thanks for the link!

Johnny Popper, Ill keep that in mind. Hopefully I can get out there next week and start taking it apart and assessing the damage.

You mentioned checking to see if they can be spot welded.. I have heard of people spot welding the new bushings in place because the hole was stretched over time. is that what you mean? I would think that the heat from welding would hurt the bushing and it sounds kind of sketchy. I dont mind doing that if it wouldnt hurt but if its worth buying new Im good with that too.

again, thanks for the help guys. Everything I know about vehicle is from experimenting on my my own trucks so I appreciate the advice.

Offline JohnnyPopper

  • Senior Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 2526
  • Old Goof
Re: Where to buy Lower Control Arms?
« Reply #7 on: December 15, 2019, 09:45:27 PM »
From the pics you showed it looks like there was some tearing/breaking of welds. Cleaning it up will allow you to see just what the real situation is and if it's worth repairing, and what it will take.

As far as bushings being welded in place, it's a case by case study.

I'm currently doing a rebuild on a '80 C10 and am using the 'red' bushings. In their lit they describe undoing the factory 'crimp' on the bushing case before removing. Good advice.

So far the new bushing sleeves went in good, no slop. I re-crimped the new ones. Have yet to finalize and torque the bushings.

In the old days, guys would spot weld the bushing case (outer shell?) to the LCA to keep it from 'walking' (read: squeaking)

I don't know if that was needed or if was an insurance policy. I guess if you press ( or in my case air hammer the cases in) and you find that they are loose, you need to make the call.

Long story short, working with your current LCA may save you a ton of $.
1957 Apache 3100 235 Inline 6, 3 on the tree
1973 C-20, 3+3 454 4BBL TH400  Water Injection
1978 K-10, 350 4BBL TH350 NP203 M.M. Part time Kit/Hubs
1980 C-10 under construction