Topic: 1968 San Jose GT 390 Fastback A-Arm Restoration

[bullitt68]

I have a few questions regarding A-Arms restoration.

Do these look like stock bushings on the lower A-Arms and Should I replace them?

Do the ball joints look like originals?

The Ball Joints on the Lower A-Arms are very stiff while the Ball joints on the upper A-Arms are not stiff at all.. Should they be replaced?

If any of the Ball joints need to be replaced how/where do you get the replacement rivets?

[RoyceP]

Unable to see your photos. Typically photos have either a .jpg or .png file extension so they can be universally seen across various web platforms. Yours do not so they cannot be seen, at least not by me.

[carlite65]

me neither.

[67gtasanjose]

Pictures arrived as a download file to me and I exited out before downloading was done on first image.
No thanks, my phone doesn't use "Trojans"!

[67_1183]

The images open fine for me.  The image format .heic is a newer form of image compression for mobile devices.

Here is the first image screen captured and converted to .png format.

[jwc66k]

Unable to see your photos. Typically photos have either a .jpg or .png file extension so they can be universally seen across various web platforms. Yours do not so they cannot be seen, at least not by me.

The images open fine for me.  The image format .heic is a newer form of image compression for mobile devices.

Sometimes "new" is not better. I would recommend as stated above - "either a .jpg or .png file extension so they can be universally seen across various web platforms." Consider that this forum has members from Europe to Australia.
Jim

[bullitt68]

Thanks guys I am not sure what I can no longer attach photo that are part of my post. It has been happening for a while now and I cant figure out why it is happening.

[bullitt68]

This thread should be deleted and the post reinstated in one of the recent control arm threads.

I didn't see any recent A-Arm threads

[bullitt68]

Ok I just tried to add the photos back now and they worked this time. Not sure what is up but they are there!

[Bob Gaines]

I have a few questions regarding A-Arms restoration.

Do these look like stock bushings on the lower A-Arms and Should I replace them?

Do the ball joints look like originals?

The Ball Joints on the Lower A-Arms are very stiff while the Ball joints on the upper A-Arms are not stiff at all.. Should they be replaced?

If any of the Ball joints need to be replaced how/where do you get the replacement rivets?

Lower control arms get the least amount of wear. That is why the uppers wear out faster. If they still feel stiff they should be fine .Your upper 3 rivet control arms are 1970 and up service replacement and the entire arm needs replaced regardless of if stiff or not. You need the 4 bolt ball joint arm and ball joint. You should study the article in the library that Marcus wrote on control arms to answer many questions.   

[bullitt68]

Lower control arms get the least amount of wear. That is why the uppers wear out faster. If they still feel stiff they should be fine .Your upper 3 rivet control arms are 1970 and up service replacement and the entire arm needs replaced regardless of if stiff or not. You need the 4 bolt ball joint arm and ball joint. You should study the article in the library that Marcus wrote on control arms to answer many questions.

Great thanks Bob thanks for pointing me in the the right direction. My upper ball joint are not tight at all and move freely with little effort. Bottom are very tight and stiff. Good to know mine are not original.

What about the lower A-Arms & bushings. Do they look original or replacements as well

[bullitt68]

Lower control arms get the least amount of wear. That is why the uppers wear out faster. If they still feel stiff they should be fine .Your upper 3 rivet control arms are 1970 and up service replacement and the entire arm needs replaced regardless of if stiff or not. You need the 4 bolt ball joint arm and ball joint. You should study the article in the library that Marcus wrote on control arms to answer many questions.

Hi Bob I tried searching for the A-Arm article;e, but could not find it in the library

[J_Speegle]

The easy ones

First the uppers are not correct for your car. They are either later (70) or service replacements

Lowers are not original but later aftermarket replacements so the bushing and boot questions being original are moot



Rivets can be done by using a number of different shops that provide the service> I suggest that you don't do your own. Some have a single waffle pattern they like to use others have maybe a dozen to choose from. Sometimes you will be responsible to ask for the type of rivet and waffle style you want for your specific need

This service can run about $50 an arm.

Marcus' article is in a thread and not in the Library currently. There are a number of other threads also

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=20562.msg131794#msg131794


Lowers
http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=20958.msg131819#msg131819

[bullitt68]

The easy ones

First the uppers are not correct for your car. They are either later (70) or service replacements

Lowers are not original but later aftermarket replacements so the bushing and boot questions being original are moot



Rivets can be done by using a number of different shops that provide the service> I suggest that you don't do your own. Some have a single waffle pattern they like to use others have maybe a dozen to choose from. Sometimes you will be responsible to ask for the type of rivet and waffle style you want for your specific need

This service can run about $50 an arm.

Marcus' article is in a thread and not in the Library currently. There are a number of other threads also

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=20562.msg131794#msg131794


Lowers
http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=20958.msg131819#msg131819

Great thanks Jeff that is great info. I will have a look at the articles and then decide how to proceed now that I know my A-Arms are not original to the car

[bullitt68]

The easy ones

First the uppers are not correct for your car. They are either later (70) or service replacements

Lowers are not original but later aftermarket replacements so the bushing and boot questions being original are moot



Rivets can be done by using a number of different shops that provide the service> I suggest that you don't do your own. Some have a single waffle pattern they like to use others have maybe a dozen to choose from. Sometimes you will be responsible to ask for the type of rivet and waffle style you want for your specific need

This service can run about $50 an arm.

Marcus' article is in a thread and not in the Library currently. There are a number of other threads also

http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=20562.msg131794#msg131794


Lowers
http://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/index.php?topic=20958.msg131819#msg131819

Not sure what happening but the info on the top A-Arms is no longer available