lower control arms

[seventyx3]

How can you tell if your lower control arms are bent apart from visual inspection? Is there a measurement?  Also, my 73 has straight shock mount tabs, but my 78 has a slight factory looking twist in the lower front shock mounts.  Has anyone noticed this before? Does it affect compatibility?

Thanks,

Kyle

[Captkaos]

control arms will swap from any model year, but there are differences in them.  What makes you think they are bend?

[seventyx3]

The frame that these were on was slightly bent.  The alignment was shimmed out pretty far.  Also, I've had to beat on them pretty hard to get the bushings out.  I just want to make sure they OK before spend the time cleaning, painting and rebuilding the front end. 

[Captkaos]

Generally speaking you should be able to visually look at them and tell if they are severely bent.

[seventyx3]

Do lower control arms have a spot where they typically bend?  I know the bushing flanges can be easily bent by a press if you don't use a spacer.  Has anyone ever had one bend by the ball joint?  It looks like it was bent and then possibly bent back.  Is that even likely? 

[Captkaos]

Take a picture and post it.

[seventyx3]

A pic wouldn't show much, as I've already painted it gloss black.  I think I'm probably worried over nothing but factory imperfections.  My 73 seems to be of higher workmanship (except for the rust) than my 78, which seems just slapped together.  Both were parts trucks, but one solid truck should finally come together.

[Captkaos]

there should be a lip running all around the ball joint portion of the lower control arm.  If it is bent, it would have to have taken a serious hit.