96 c/k 1500 lower control arms/ball joints

Kadroh · September 27, 2014

Okay I did try searching this like a crazy person on google and this and several other forums.

To understand, this is not my truck and I have never really worked on trucks before let alone know their suspension setups and all of that.

I was helping a friend do lower control arms, upper control arms, tie rods, etc.

Ordered for R.Auto and the lower control arms are a bust. However I thought it was a K1500 and they dont have lower control arms in there so I ordered from the C1500 figuring it was the same. Turns out those are meant for a coil spring setup. This truck has no coil springs and the shock mounts straight to the lower control arm.

Where am I missing the right control arms in this set up. I am able to upload pictures in a few hours when I can get over to snap some if needed.

I feel this is a common misconception for a noob to trucks but I guess im not searching the right questions.

Thanks in advance, and help is much appreciated.

Kadroh · September 27, 2014

and actually this picture I found on google images is what is on this truck.The stamped looking on on the left.

Now why can I not find that style for a 1996 GMC C/K 1500 5.7L V8 (or what am I missing here more importantly lol.)

I've checked locally and all online and I only come up with a control arm that comes from the bottom and up through and has coil springs, this one doesnt have springs and goes down through with the ball joint.

Still trying to get over there to take some pictures for that setup.

edit.. adding the photo this time hahaha

grampadirt · September 28, 2014

What you have there is a lower control arm for a 4wd. truck and they don't use springs,they use torsion bars.That hex shaped hole is where it goes into the control arm.GM started using them in '88 on IFS suspensions.

Kadroh · September 28, 2014

Where can you find those lower control arm's.

I ordered from R.Auto.com but now I gotta return the ones I received but where can I find these type?

Am I just really blind and looking in the wrong spot?

Also he wants to change his shocks and it definitely has been lifted am I okay to just use any old shock on it? Its not a huge lift or anything.

Again sorry for such the noob questions about truck stuff lol.

grampadirt · September 28, 2014

Is there something terribly wrong with the current ones? Normally you just replace the bushings & ball joints.

Forgot to add...........

Depending on the lift he might need longer shocks.I know when I did shocks on my burb(6'' lift)I needed longer shocks.

grampadirt · September 28, 2014

Here's a pic of most of the parts for a IFS front suspension.It's a pic I took when replacing the lower control arm bushings a few years ago.

You can see the lower control arm in the upper right corner of the pic.

Kadroh · September 28, 2014

Basically they look drivable but he just wants to buy new ones since he has the cash.

Are those bushings pressed? Or can the ball joint and bushings be decently easy to change I'm going to talk to him about this option. Knowing him I'm pretty sure he is going to want to buy new ones, why can I not find them through like R.auto.

grampadirt · September 29, 2014

The bushings & ball joints are pressed in.Buy the parts then take it all to a local shop & let them do the work,you'll be happy you did.

I looked on several websites and none of them had the 4x4 lower control arm for that year,maybe all GMT400s.Might be how they're made,too costly?

Might have to go to a dealer for those control arms.

Kadroh · September 29, 2014

Well thanks for all the help, bringing this info to him and suggesting he just presses in new bushings and ball joints.

Now I'm willing to buy a shop press as I need one. From the videos I've seen it doesn't look to hard if I had a shop press.

Am I wasting my time doing this or is it pretty easy with a shop press?

grampadirt · September 29, 2014

I tried removing a bushing with my press and found that it was damn near impossible to get the control arm situated just right to press it out,ended up taking it to a shop and the guy had the other ones out in a few minutes.Don't know about the ball joints as mine were fine.

Kadroh · September 29, 2014

Haha i'll learn from you experience on that one!.

Also im assuming but have not bought a service manual or anything but in IFS must you loosen or remove that torsion bar to get control arm off. It appears you do. But not sure.

EDIT. well from my reading and research it sounds like you can just loosen the key?(im assuming thats where it is in the lower control arm with the huge hex type thing)?

Kadroh · September 29, 2014

Okay, as an update. For the 1988-1998(I think correct me if im wrong) 4wd lower control arms, these are not made anymore you cannot even purchase from a dealer. Junkyard or press your own bushings and balljoint/take it to a shop to get them pressed.

Thanks for the help in this thread. I wasn't even getting close to answers without knowing where to start you helped big time.

grampadirt · September 30, 2014

You're very welcome,glad to help.I was like you many years ago,just learning.Wish we had forums back then lol.

Keep us informed on the progress

I watched a video where they left the torsion bar in place,guess it can be done.However,I removed mine.

grampadirt · September 30, 2014

Haha i'll learn from you experience on that one!.

Also im assuming but have not bought a service manual or anything but in IFS must you loosen or remove that torsion bar to get control arm off. It appears you do. But not sure.

EDIT. well from my reading and research it sounds like you can just loosen the key?(im assuming thats where it is in the lower control arm with the huge hex type thing)?

The key is on the opposite end from the control arm,it has a bolt that is used to adjust it.