GW Upper A-arms and bind

[derekf]

Assembled my GW upper A-arms today and I think that I must have done something wrong.

Followed the instructions included with the del-a-lum bushings so I've got a steel washer and a nylon washer on the inside of both sides of the shaft. Pressed in the blue anodized shells (again, in accordance with the instructions), and even without the nylon guts of the shells I've got a LOT of bind - as in I can't even turn the UCA shaft by hand (but it does move if I stick it in a vise).

I didn't crank down and press the shells until they were flush and I didn't press the whole assembly unsupported.

Looking at what happens when I stick the shaft in a vise, it looks like the washers are getting pinched. I imagine that this is one of those things that'll work itself out - if nothing else, then from accellerated wear of the nylon inner thrust washer. I completed the assembly of one of the arms and greased it properly but it didn't seem to make much difference.

Is this normal?
The distance between the inner edges of the bushing mounts is pretty close to 8 9/16" - does that sound correct?
If this isn't normal, how would y'all suggest fixing?

[zbugger]

Can you get pics? Also, they do have to be lubed, remember?

[derekf]

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/07/05070902-1.jpg

Not really sure what you were looking for images of.

[zbugger]

Just evidence that you actually got them. Just kidding. To check the assembly. That's all. It looks right to me. Did you lube them? Or are you gonna do that on the car? That may be all you need.

[derekf]

Lubed one, didn't help much.

The other isn't completely assembled yet - I haven't put the nylon sleeves in or drilled for the grease fittings.

How hard should it be to turn the shaft by hand?

[Supercharged 86]

I have solid bushings so this may be a little different, but I know they wouldn't budge until I lubed them a few times. They where tough to move by hand, but when I put the cross shaft in my vice and moved it by the BJ plate (to simulate being mounted to the car), it was much easier so if it's like that for you, I wouldn't worry.

[derekf]

Thanks, John, I feel better now. Welcome to the site!

[Supercharged 86]

Thanks, I've been hanging out on some other G body sites, but this one is more related to what my intentions for my El Camino are.

Those are some nice control arms by the way. They're worth the money for the looks alone!

[Q ship]

Hey Derek, my arms (stock, Del-a-lum bushings) have about 25000 miles on them, move very freely on the car. I have them in my garage right now, just tried to move the shaft by hand-can not rotate it.

You're good to go.

[nancejd]

Interesting, my upper GW arms came completely assembled. I couldn't really turn the cross shaft by hand, but once the shaft was attached to something, it was pretty easy to move the arms.

[Rick Dorion]

When I first assembled my stock UCA's and the GW bushings they were very stiff - same as what you're seeing. Although I haven't had them out, the ride of my car is incredible. I figured the leverage of the car is plenty for smooth action and it will further free up over time.

[gEtyOpAPiOn]

i have a different kind of control arms but same setup and it feels like a trampoline when ya place them on a vice lol maybe i should atach one by a swimming pool lol