C20 Upper Control Arm Shaft Studs

[HotRodPC]

Id put a bead of weld on those studs before you put that new bracket in.

I was thinking about doing that. Not that it would need it. These studs are tighter than a knats ass and solid as a witches *** in a brass bra on 10 below zero winter day. But I just might anyway, just because it's a part and tack should keep them that way. Now I'm just wondering If I'm going to have a problem on the passenger side when I got loosen them for an alignment. This side loosened up on its own and spit the shims out.

 

[smurph20]

If you dont do it now itll need to be done down the road and youll be kicking yourself in the arse because you didnt do it when it was apart.

 

[HotRodPC]

If you dont do it now itll need to be done down the road and youll be kicking yourself in the arse because you didnt do it when it was apart.

Yep, I'm pretty convinced I'm going to throw at least a tack on them. BTW, I also got the new shocks off the front of the donor truck too. They still look new even. The guy told me he had shocks put at all 4 corners less than a month before it got wrecked. They all look good. No bends, neat and clean. Actually do look new. I got those and the hardware off the donor.

I've also got used very low mileage Moog inner and outer tie rod ends, pitman and idler arm that I got off that frame and bed that I bought for $100. Those were planned for this truck too. I kinda goofed up the dust boots using the pickle fork to uninstall them gently, so I think I'll replace those dust boots and install those too. With new shocks and steering linkage, hopefully the rest is good, which seems to be as far as ball joints and A arm bushings, I'll get it aligned too.

 

[smurph20]

Good news man. Hopefully i can start on mine soon getting the gas tanks replaced and new sending units

 

[HotRodPC]

Surgery is well underway, but I didn't get near done what I wanted. This is a real bitch with the A arm being on and not able to come off, the fender well, motor etc all in the way. However, with mega doing and mega time, I did get the bad bracket off and out, the A arm off of it, also put tack welds on the back of the donor bracket studs and paint the back of it so it doesn't rust. In the morning, it'll all be about reassembly.

 

[smurph20]

Cool beans be driven by noon right

 

[HotRodPC]

Here is the old bracket. Noway in hell buying new studs woulda fixed it. The holes are egg shaped and bored out bigger. The studs didn't look near as bad as I thought. They are pretty damn hard. Took 2 sawzall blades to get thru 1 stud. They are hardened to hell and back, and super strong. Also might be why the welds don't stick real well without a lot of heat or amperage.

 

[HotRodPC]

Cool beans be driven by noon right

Depending on my ailments and how soon I get up and around in the AM. I hope to hell so. Still got some rough bolts to get to, like those behind the motor mounts inside the frame rail, and the 4 bolts I'll now use in place of the rivets. Those go in and up thru the spring cavity.

 

[HotRodPC]

Surgery is all done. The C20 is out of recovery after I got the brakes bled and took it for fairly long drive today doing several errands, including picking up checks, DR, Pharmacists, cashing checks, grocery store, gas, etc etc. All city street driving hitting bumps, dips and railroad tracks. Quite a different truck now. Already feels great, but I need to replace the upper A arm shaft too since it was beat on so badly during that ordeal. It's $48.99 for a Moog shaft and bushings at O'Reily's. I'll do that later on but for now, the truck is way better and safe to drive at last. I even filled up one of the tanks with gas this time.

 

[smurph20]

Congrats man

 

[HotRodPC]

Congrats man

Thanks, I'm hoping this will jump start my motivation now for other parts I have to install on the truck. Still not to cosmetics though.

http://www.gmsquarebody.com/forum/showthread.php?t=286&page=7 84 C20 Project Thread.

 

[Guardian]

Congrsts on getting the repairs done. Now you can enjoy the truck more!!

 

[HotRodPC]

Thanks, got a long way to go, but at least now it's safe and sound and worth the time and efforts.

 

[Guardian]

Hell, mine is rough looking on the outside but I enjoy driving it everyday.

 

[HotRodPC]

No doubt, it's enjoyable to drive. I'm hoping to have the AC flushed, vacuumed down, and converted to R1234a next week. I'll enjoy it alot more after that. Everything on this truck works down the Cruise Control, except the AC system needs charged and hopefully that's all it needs it charged.