Struts

[Mirror]

What is the arm on the bottom of the strut called? Also what size of wrench is needed to tighten the lower bolt, I believe mine are loose. Also what's the wrench size needed for the upper control arms? I noticed the bolts have backed out a bit.

 

[Sparky]

Sure they have backed out? Or have the bushings simply shrunk? Mine did that as the rubber deteriorated. I think upper are 18mm.

 

[BlazingTrails]

Most of the bolts are 18mm and 21mm, then the usual 15mm, 13mm, 10mm on everything else.

The bottom part of the strut should be called the lower strut mount, some call it a strut perch.

 

[Mirror]

This is the bottom bolt I'm talking about. The bottom of the strut inserts into this arm.




Here 3 of the 4 uca bolts, other one sits tight

 

[BlazingTrails]

It looks like you need all new upper control arm bushings my friend.

And yes that was the post I was referring too, lower strut mount or perch. It can be quite difficult to get it off of the stud mostly because the stud is mounted with a rubber bushing.

 

[Mirror]

Don't want to take it off, just want to tighten it. It looks like it might be loose.

 

[Mooseman]

Mine looked like that. Bolts were tight, just the bushing were worn. All was good after I replaced the bushings.

 

[Sparky]

Yeah mine looke the same but it wasn't loose. You're likely seeing the sleeve the bolt slides through. You can try tightening but I doubt that's the case.

I opted for new upper arms with the bushings already installed. Was easier than pressing a new set in to the old arms and wasn't that much more expensive.

 

[hockeyman]

What is the arm on the bottom of the strut called? Also what size of wrench is needed to tighten the lower bolt, I believe mine are loose. Also what's the wrench size needed for the upper control arms? I noticed the bolts have backed out a bit.

I think the bottom arm you're referring to are the Yokes. I posted a WTB Ad looking for a set of them:
http://gmtnation.com/forums/threads/2-strut-yokes.14377/

And yes, the bottom yoke bolt is 18mm.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Bushings definitely look to be toast. Luckily the upper arms and really overall. the lowers as well, are cheap to buy full replacements and save a bunch of time and headaches swapping bushings.

 

[BlazingTrails]

I think the bottom arm you're referring to are the Yokes. I posted a WTB Ad looking for a set of them:
http://gmtnation.com/forums/threads/2-strut-yokes.14377/

And yes, the bottom yoke bolt is 18mm.

Good Call



I have seen on other vehicles that this part is called a lower strut mount?

 

[Tiggerr]

I don't think those lower mounts themselves actually go bad. Unless you break/bend one. Aren't they just a solid piece of steel/iron? The bushings are part of the stud aren't they?

 

[Mooseman]

I could see one getting broken if you try to spread the ears where the pinch bolt goes.

 

[Mirror]

I did have to replace both upper control arms. Now hopefully i can get the alignment tomorrow.