Can anybody with aftermarket rear control arms tell me how to tighten them up so they won't move around? I have a constant knock under the rear of my 1985 Trans Am and have just recently found out that the control arms are loose. Should the metal sleeve in the center of the bushing be longer, the same length or a touch shorter than the bushing? Also, could it be that the bolt is not thick enough allowing to much play between it and the metal sleeve? Thanx for any help!
Tim.

 

what control arms? the metal sleeve should be about 2.375" the bolt should not be overly sloppy in the sleeve either. What bolts are you using?

 

These are Hotchkiss control arms with the factory bolts. The sleeve just falls out of the bushings when removed which I assume is normal? I can tap on the underside of the arms and here them making the knocking sound. I'm just not sure how they are suppose to work. I assume that the bushing should not move in the arm but should move around the sleeve? If that is the case then there must be too much play between the sleeve and the bolt? Thanx for any help!

 

SOunds like you need new bushings.... or larger bolts?

 

You might be correct about it needing larger bolts. I have some new factory bolts on order so I will see if that helps any. I may have to sleeve the sleeve inside to take up the slack. I just don't know why I am having this trouble and no one else seems to be. The control arms are fairly new and I think I remember the noisy shortly after replacing them. Thanx for your imput!