Help me GM Square Body. you're my only hope. (Lower Control Arm)

[86Peter454]

So i was lowering my truck the other day and while i had everything torn down i was replacing the bushings on my control arms.

i found that on my passenger side the lower control arm had hit something and bent it so that there was no way i would get new bushings in if i pulled the old ones out.

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i did try to bend it back knowing i wouldnt be able to but i had to try. i couldnt lol.

so the short of it is i need a passenger side lower control arm that will work on an 86 c10.

ive asked around and checked with some salvage yards that had them in just as bad or worse shape than mine. so im all out of ideas so if anyone has one to sell or even just where to find one id appreciate it.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Not sure if there was a design change from the 60's to the 80's in regards to the control arms, so you may be able to source one from any year truck. I know '73-'87 front suspension can be bolted up to a '60s series truck to perform a front disc brake conversion. Or, if using the 60's control arms to do the conversion, one can just use the '73-'87 lower ball joints. That said, and I know you're not doing a front disc conversion, just stating that the two series of truck's suspensions can interchange to some extent, so I think a lower control arm from something that is not an '86 will work just fine as long as it is for a C10. You may have better luck looking for any year truck and not just '86, so that would bring a lot more control arms into play for you to look at. I see yours has the u-bolts that hold it to the cross member, and the rubber bushings, and there are a lot of trucks that run that style, so try expanding your search if no one on here can provide one for you.

 

[Big Chip]

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MIhIGL7cyC4wIVV7nACh1ujAKAEAQYAyABEgLYWvD_BwE

There’s a Dorman for $60 also.

 

[86Peter454]

Not sure if there was a design change from the 60's to the 80's in regards to the control arms, so you may be able to source one from any year truck. I know '73-'87 front suspension can be bolted up to a '60s series truck to perform a front disc brake conversion. Or, if using the 60's control arms to do the conversion, one can just use the '73-'87 lower ball joints. That said, and I know you're not doing a front disc conversion, just stating that the two series of truck's suspensions can interchange to some extent, so I think a lower control arm from something that is not an '86 will work just fine as long as it is for a C10. You may have better luck looking for any year truck and not just '86, so that would bring a lot more control arms into play for you to look at. I see yours has the u-bolts that hold it to the cross member, and the rubber bushings, and there are a lot of trucks that run that style, so try expanding your search if no one on here can provide one for you.

right from what i understand 73-87 are all the same if a C10. c20 or c30 are not the same. like the ball joint is a different size and bushings are different i think.

now i didnt think about using older than 73 though. i will look into that and i may be able to find one from 67-72 or something.

 

[TravisB]

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...MIhIGL7cyC4wIVV7nACh1ujAKAEAQYAyABEgLYWvD_BwE

There’s a Dorman for $60 also.

I think both the dorman on Summit and the Moog one linked are for c20 trucks. I know there are places offering tubular control arms but I think there is a thread on here recently where another member wasn't finding anyone making factory replacements for the c10. There was a ball joint adapter that you could get though. Take a look at https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/advice-on-rebuilding-control-arms.25759/ for more info if you want to go that route.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I have both a '65 c20 and '81 c20 sitting in my driveway, and have interchanged parts from one to the other, such as brakes, shocks, but I have converted the '65 to front disc. However, the control arms and front cross members look to be identical as far as shape and function goes. I haven't looked any closer than that yet. I do know the '65 c20 has steel bushings, not sure about the c10's. '67-'72 is definitely an option. I know of a junk yard about a 1.5 hour drive from here that has some trucks with front suspension left intact, but for me to go over there I'd have to take a day off because they're closed on the weekends, which really sucks because they have some items I want to grab. I'm assuming you're wanting OEM, and I don't blame you, have you tried ebay or craigslist, sometimes suspension parts up for grabs on those sites, too.

 

[86Peter454]

yea i found some up on ebay but with no picture of the part actually. just pics of the whole truck.

dont want to risk that one being bad.

i did come across another local junk yard that says they will have what i need so i will be going there sometime this week if i can get some time. may just have to have them pull it for me we will see.

yea i would prefer oem and ill just swap out the bushings and ball joint.

 

[DoubleDingo]

No pics, no sale for sure.

Good luck on the one locally.

This suspension-talk reminds me I need to replace the ball joints/bushings/tie-rods on my '81. It likes to hop on hard braking conditions.

 

[bluex]

C10 an C20/30 arms are different. The 20/30 uses a different style bushing similar to 63-72. So they don't necessarily interchange, ball joints are also different as well.

Unfortunately LMC is basically the only place for a new one. They are about $150.

 

[Craig 85]

This ebay seller parts out a lot of GM trucks. They don't show any A-arms for sale now, but I have had them pull a part for me and create my own auction.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ssn=rayandsamantha&rt=nc

 

[Rusty Nail]

I bet Johnny Craigslist has one.
Or six ..

 

[DoubleDingo]

I bet Johnny Craigslist has one.
Or six ..

I forgot about him

 

[Rusty Nail]

Your bad!

My truck is waiting on me to get her BRAKE BOOSTER Zinc plated. Johnny and I have no business ATM and I haven't spoken with him in a while, think i'll check in - that's prolly not a bad idea.

 

[DoubleDingo]

Good Ol' Johnny!