Question on upper control arms for 1956 Thunderbird

[zuburg]

I just had new bushings installed on my upper control arms. How tight should the bar be that goes through the bushings when the bushings are pressed in? Mine seem to be really tight and I can't move it by hand. Is that normal?

 

[miker98038]

Short answer, yes. You don't tighten the end bolts until the spring is back in, and the weight is on the suspension. The resistance of the rubber in the bushing is part of the suspension. Unless you're a really big guy, you can't move them. Once bolted in, you should be able to move them enough to put the spindle/ball joint together.

Most cars or this era work that way. After its all back together, tighten the end bolts in both the upper and lower arms, with the weight on them. I learned that the hard way.

I'm not sure I've said that very well, but it's how it works.