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Bent the front lower control arms while removing the bushings will they still work?
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Author:  Slantsix83 [ Tue Sep 17, 2024 11:27 am ]
Post subject:  Bent the front lower control arms while removing the bushings will they still work?
So long story short I found some front lower control arms for my 83 d150 so I can raise it back to stock height. The issue is when I was removing the control bushings I bent both sizes inwards as you can see in the pictures. Will putting in the new bushing help in it being back to stock Width or what are my options? I paid 156 for both an about 2hr 30 round trip. Would like to salvage them if possible.

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Author:  mcnoople [ Wed Sep 18, 2024 6:01 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bent the front lower control arms while removing the bushings will they still work?
Get a large diameter bolt 3/4"+, some thick washers, and some nuts. Put the nuts and washers inside the arm where the bushing goes with the washer against the arm. Now use the large bolt with the nuts to spread the arm back out. You turn the nuts away from each other to use them as a spreader. You may have to tack weld one of the nuts to keep it from moving. And you will want some chassis grease on the threads of the nut and where the nut meets the washer to help with rotating friction.
Author:  Slantsix83 [ Wed Sep 18, 2024 9:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bent the front lower control arms while removing the bushings will they still work?
Quote:
Get a large diameter bolt 3/4"+, some thick washers, and some nuts. Put the nuts and washers inside the arm where the bushing goes with the washer against the arm. Now use the large bolt with the nuts to spread the arm back out. You turn the nuts away from each other to use them as a spreader. You may have to tack weld one of the nuts to keep it from moving. And you will want some chassis grease on the threads of the nut and where the nut meets the washer to help with rotating friction.
Thank you. Do you know what width it has to be?
Author:  kesteb [ Thu Sep 26, 2024 11:25 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bent the front lower control arms while removing the bushings will they still work?
If they actually put van LCAs in your truck. They use a larger thru bolt to hold the LCAs in place. So may want to check that before doing any thing else.
Author:  mcnoople [ Fri Sep 27, 2024 5:44 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bent the front lower control arms while removing the bushings will they still work?
Quote:
If they actually put van LCAs in your truck. They use a larger thru bolt to hold the LCAs in place. So may want to check that before doing any thing else.
Would it be possible to use van bushings in the truck arm. That would allow the OP to use the larger bolt IF the frame got reamed for a larger bolt.
Author:  Slantsix83 [ Sat Sep 28, 2024 5:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Bent the front lower control arms while removing the bushings will they still work?
Quote:
If they actually put van LCAs in your truck. They use a larger thru bolt to hold the LCAs in place. So may want to check that before doing any thing else.
Shoot if anything couldn't I get smaller bolts. And weld some washers on?
Author:  mcnoople [ Mon Sep 30, 2024 5:58 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bent the front lower control arms while removing the bushings will they still work?
Quote:
Quote:
If they actually put van LCAs in your truck. They use a larger thru bolt to hold the LCAs in place. So may want to check that before doing any thing else.
Shoot if anything couldn't I get smaller bolts. And weld some washers on?
Yes, BUT you would need the washers properly centered. If you go the welded washer route I would get the alignment dialed in BEFORE welding the washer in place since it will affect the specs.

If you wanted to get super fancy for no real gain you could weld eccentric mounts around the hole and then use "cam" bolts for adjustable camber/caster.
Author:  Slantsix83 [ Thu Oct 03, 2024 5:40 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Bent the front lower control arms while removing the bushings will they still work?
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
If they actually put van LCAs in your truck. They use a larger thru bolt to hold the LCAs in place. So may want to check that before doing any thing else.
Shoot if anything couldn't I get smaller bolts. And weld some washers on?
Yes, BUT you would need the washers properly centered. If you go the welded washer route I would get the alignment dialed in BEFORE welding the washer in place since it will affect the specs.

If you wanted to get super fancy for no real gain you could weld eccentric mounts around the hole and then use "cam" bolts for adjustable camber/caster.
Understood
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