How to Rebuild a Mopar Lower Control Arm!

[@michaelmulhall3474]

Nice job.I have seen where you can use the old shells with just the poly bushings.I also like the stiffener plates on the bottom of the control arm. Good video . Thanks.

[@backyardhotrods9885]

thanks glad you enjoyed the video!

[@33milegarage34]

They look great. Your new suspension setup will be a huge improvement. Looking forward to collaborating on future projects! That’s

[@andreasfiska7066]

Thanks for an educational video. I am about to do the same on my own E-body. Now I will be a little more prepared

[@backyardhotrods9885]

Your welcome, glad you found it useful! What E body do you have?

[@andreasfiska7066]

I have a 71 challenger I bought in Texas in 2008. More or less a running basketcase back then, but it is shaping up now. Here is a short video : kzbin.infoKDl7VlGViqs?feature=share

[@backyardhotrods9885]

@@andreasfiska7066 Nice! Good work b I love the grille on those

[@andreasfiska7066]

@BackyardHotRods, thanks, it has been quite a few hours work, but it will be worth it.

[@HalJalikakik]

Oh man. Just put my LCA’s back in last night. It is a BEAR of a project. I hope I never need to replace those bushings again. I don’t own a press so we used a vice, a welded washer, brute strength and ignorance to get the bushings out. I used a loaner ball joint press to install them and that worked beautifully. As with any of this stuff it’s not uncommon to find other issues and noticed I had a bent strut rod. I used the opportunity to install a new adjustable pair.

[@backyardhotrods9885]

I hear ya man these aren’t fun, so much has to come apart and a few special tools are required. What strut rods did you get?

[@HalJalikakik]

@@backyardhotrods9885 I went with Firm Feel’s adjustable strut rods. They seem pretty heavy duty and should allow me to get the alignment dialed a little better.

[@chargerman426]

Good luck getting new bushings should you need them for the pivot shafts. Had rebuilt everything before sending the car off to the body shop and when it was being blasted they nicked the bushing and it has now torn. Well no one sells just the bushing! Have to buy a whole kit just to get bushings for those shafts as they are a larger dia than stock.

[@racehemi426425]

Great video. I still hope to have a classic car one day.

[@backyardhotrods9885]

Thanks, I hope you find one one day!

[@rockwasequim5924]

I figured you would have pressed the pins instead of beating them. Good quality on the video.

[@daneyal23]

Thanks guys, much appreciated

[@Dixler683]

Oh man ! that weld job.

[@davidnonis6726]

The green AAR is in my shop for a restoration. Lol I had no idea u guys were local.

[@backyardhotrods9885]

Very kool, yeah I’m in Rochester. I follow you on IG. Can’t wait to see it progress 👍

[@raymondpauze8801]

If you put any bushing rubber or poly in the freezer a few hours beforehand they tend to almost go in by hand.

[@backyardhotrods9885]

Ahh yes, good tip! I will try that when I do my spring shackle bushings this weekend👍

[@YODAMAN5]

MOPAR 4 EVER....!

[@backyardhotrods9885]

👍🤟🇺🇸

[@rich_mc]

I did this tonight with the same pivot pins and poly bushings you used. I ended up using my press to push the bushings down. I got to the point where the bushing started to expand rather than push down in any farther (guessing it was bottomed out in the bottom of the sleeve), but it still appears the bushing shoulder up top is maybe 1-2mm from being seated all the way against the top of the sleeve. Did yours have any space left there?

[@doacarnage]

Wow I just couldn’t start assembling that arm without bead blasting it first, oh well to each their own.

[@Bocce-Kaizer]

Nice job!

[@backyardhotrods9885]

Thanks Gary🙌

[@anthonytruta2745]

Why didn't you use the silicone grease when installing the pin? You used it when installing the poly bushing into the lower control arm. The only lubricant that is compatible with urethane is silicone grease. If your urethane bushings start to dissolve. You'll now know why. Otherwise good video.

[@backyardhotrods9885]

The pin does have a greasable fitting that I greased after I installed

[@Dixler683]

@@backyardhotrods9885why did you use silicone grease to install the poly bushing but regular petroleum grease when installing the pin? That regular grease may destroy the bushing.

[@billsmopars4927]

It looks like the poly bushings move the lower control arm pivot out further than the stock measurement. How does that affect the alignment?

[@geralddrury4829]

I do not trust the Poly Bushings. I redid My 69 Fish with what it was born with! Rubber and steel, they lasted 40+ years. Expect the same. Call me back in another 38 years and tell me it's still good. JMO! The strengthening is smart, I did not do this and likely should have! But not driving the car any different since 1980's.

[@backyardhotrods9885]

I think for 95% of the cars rubber is the way to go but for more responsive steering with aggressive driving poly will have less deflection/ better handling. Great looking Mopar you have there👍

[@JerryDey]

Put a chain around that cylinder.

[@johnobrien5618]

not sure why you wouldn't dress those welds it would have looked so much better...

[@dahut3614]

Uh oh, you increased your unsprung weight. You're definitely going to need some lighter wheels to make up for that!

[@backyardhotrods9885]

I like the way you think 😁.

[@garyhelms1889]

That kit was $230ish??! Doesn't seem like there's much to that kit.

[@backyardhotrods9885]

theres not really, but seems like parts are getting more expensive every month

[@Miwe1138]

If anyone want a stiffening plates template on PDF i can sell it, you print it and use to cut on the metal sheet 14 gauge. We can use paypal or bank transfer (im in mexico) :D

[@challengerbrant]

Guess what… you'll still get squeaking. Oh ya, it blows big time.

[@backyardhotrods9885]

Yeah, I won’t be too surprised but I hope I don’t.

[@victorpiccininni772]

@@backyardhotrods9885 how about play could you show