Upper control arm doesn't fit

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 17, 2019 | 08:05 AM

tab a

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Aug 2016

Posts: 32

Likes: 0

Upper control arm doesn't fit

'98 RWD with 260k, trying to replace an upper control arm. I've tried 2 'regular' and one 'premium' from NAPA and none of them will fit in the brackets. The spacing between the front and rear bushing assemblies on all of them is a good 3/16" too narrow to fit into the brackets. I can't come close to even getting them started to go in.

I don't see that the brackets are bent though MAYBE MAYBE they've been pulled slightly closed by tightening the camber bolts on bushings that were so perished some of them are barely there.

I eventually put the control arm that I'm trying to replace, back in, and even that takes some force and gentle hammer taps.

Would it be worth trying another brand of control arm (though I don't have any ready access), or should I just try to spread the inner wall of the brackets a bit?

Thanks.

Sep 17, 2019 | 08:17 AM

alloro

Fleet Owner

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 24,324

Likes: 5,136

From: 0,0,1

Take a look at the UCA for a 4WD, maybe the parts store has the two part numbers in reverse. I've had that happen to me before with a water pump and timing cover gasket on a Mustang.

Sep 17, 2019 | 10:31 AM

tab a

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Aug 2016

Posts: 32

Likes: 0

I think the 4WD control arm is a couple of inches too narrow--which was what they sold me first! :-)

Thanks.

Sep 21, 2019 | 07:24 AM

tab a

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Aug 2016

Posts: 32

Likes: 0

It (finally) occurred to me to check the fit of the control arm on the other side of the truck. Haven't done it on that truck yet but did have the '99 wheels off, and it seems to fit fine there, so I'm going to conclude that the mounting brackets are indeed closed, a bit. Will try to move the inner sides out a little and see what happens.