Center or drag link

[Damon23]

If it is not bent then is it best to have new bushings put in? And if so does a machine shop do that or is there someone you all can recommend where to get one from. Clark’s looks like $230 but I read somewhere that they are out.

[jetcat]

If it is not bent then is it best to have new bushings put in? And if so does a machine shop do that or is there someone you all can recommend where to get one from. Clark’s looks like $230 but I read somewhere that they are out.

Just one bushing at the pitman arm. Not too had to press out yourself and replace. I upgraded to a nylon bushing from Clark's that was easy to install.

20170908_095221_crop_261x270.jpeg (18.32 KiB) Viewed 1858 times

Bob Wilcox
Paso Robles, CA

1966 Turbo Corsa Convertible
1966 140 Corsa Coupe

[Damon23]

Yep, that’s the one that is clunking.

[Wagon Master]

http://www.corvair.com/user-cgi/catalog ... N&page=156

[terribleted]

That $230 is before you send your old one back as core. You get $140 back for your core.

[bbodie52]

To help illustrate...

For more brilliant Dave Motohead Corvair How-To videos...

https://www.youtube.com/user/davemotohead1/videos



http://www.corvair.com/user-cgi/catalog ... N&page=156



Front-end clunking might also be a badly worn ball joint. The pitman arm bushing can also rot and leave a lot of slop in the steering connection between the steering box pitman arm connection and the steering linkage.



I've seen them so bad that the rubber part is completely missing, leaving only the bolt floating within the steering link.



The link below will provide you with a list of useful websites that are Corvair-related. Some of the links will lead you to an extensive technical library that will allow you to download shop manuals and other technical references in Adobe Reader format at no cost. There is also a link that will help you to locate nearby CORSA (Corvair Society of America) club chapters. While the Corvair Forum can be very helpful as you work on your Corvair, having local friends and contacts in your region who are knowledgeable about the Corvair can also be very helpful. These family-friendly CORSA chapters often offer picnics, group scenic drives, technical training and assistance, car shows, and competition events that can greatly enhance your enjoyment of Corvair ownership. You will also find a list of essential Corvair parts suppliers.

Common and Useful Corvair Websites

viewtopic.php?f=225&t=6007

[Damon23]

Thanks for the info. In that last photo I can see my problem. Sandwiched between the pitman arm and draglink on mine is nothing. I suspect it wore and fell out. I checked the bearings, ball joints, sway bar and control arms already.

Is there anywhere that bushing can be bought local to the metro Atlanta area?

[66vairguy]

A word of caution on the nylon replacement for the pitman arm. Some have trouble with them binding and have to modify them, others say they work.

The pitman arm discussion of pressing in the original rubber type or installing the nylon sleeve has come up on the other forum numerous times. Seth Emerson who has done some racing in Corvairs summed it up well. For normal street driving with pot holes and rough surfaces the original rubber bushing is preferred as it helps protect the steering box from shocks. The nylon bushing will give a slightly more positive feel, but only if the steering box and all the suspension parts are in great shape.

I bought a Corvair with the nylon bushing and it was worn out and sloppy. Apparently you have to lube them. I use the original style rubber bushing and my cars steer fine, no slop. With limited hobby car driving the rubber bushing should last a long time.

Do make sure you remove the old bushing shell from the pitman arm, some folks have missed this.

While your at it check the idler arm on the other side. If original it is probably worn. The new replacements have a grease fitting.

[bbodie52]

Mon Oct 08, 2018 10:52 am
Is there anywhere that bushing can be bought local to the metro Atlanta area?

The same component may have been used in other GM products in the 1960s, but I have never seen anything cross-referencing that item to other vehicles.

I would strongly recommend that all Corvair owners utilize Clark's Corvair Parts and other Corvair specialty vendors to the greatest extent possible. The slight inconvenience of a mail-order shipment is not so great, I believe. It is, however, very important for Corvair owners to fully support the few Corvair specialty vendors that still exist. Corvair Underground in Oregon had been around almost as long as Clark's Corvair Parts (almost 45 years), but recently announced they were going out of business. The few vendors that remain are highly specialized in supporting Corvairs, and without them I believe that most Corvairs would have disappeared long ago. Clark's is the largest and has the most extensive inventory, which requires a great deal of knowledge and effort to contract out to have items reproduced. In reproducing upholstery items they have taken on a huge challenge and made a very significant investment to be able to produce the seat and door panel upholstery that is critical to Corvair owners.

In the link below you will find a list of essential Corvair parts suppliers. Clark's Corvair Parts in Shelburne Falls, MA is the biggest and oldest Corvair supplier in the world. You will find a link that can provide you with a series of videos that amount to a tour of the Clark's Corvair Parts facilities. I think you will be amazed at the quality of the reproduction components they offer — particularly the interior carpeting and re-upholstery items. Parts suppliers such as this truly make our Corvair hobby possible. You will also find a link there that will guide you through a series of videos that amount to a tour of the Clark's Corvair Parts facilities. The videos do a good job of showing you exactly what it takes to maintain their excellent inventory and to reproduce critical items that keep our Corvairs on the road.

It is possible to save some money in shipping costs by consolidating your Corvair needs into a single larger shipment instead of making numerous small quantity or single item shipments that increase the costs of parts.

Common and Useful Corvair Websites

viewtopic.php?f=225&t=6007

[Damon23]

I guess Clark’s is closed for the holiday. I tried to order online but it keeps kicking me out at the submit order page and there is no answer on the phone. I guess I’ll have to settle for registering and getting the tag today. Seems like I can’t get anything done today. Glad I’m off all week.

[bbodie52]

Tomorrow can be national Pitman Arm Bushing Day!!

[Damon23]

LOL, don’t need that bushing after all. After digging into the car a little deeper the drivers side shock has no bushing on the bottom bolt. However, no one local has shocks. Not even summit. I guess I still need to get with Clark’s after all.

[Damon23]

LOL, don’t need that bushing after all. After digging into the car a little deeper the drivers side shock has no bushing on the bottom bolt. However, no one local has shocks. Not even summit. I guess I still need to get with Clark’s after all.

[caraholic4life]

If it is not bent then is it best to have new bushings put in? And if so does a machine shop do that or is there someone you all can recommend where to get one from. Clark’s looks like $230 but I read somewhere that they are out.

A few month's ago I dropped off all my front suspension components at the Corvair Ranch and they replaced all the bushings for me at a reasonable price.
I would suggest you take your parts there and let them do the job.

P.S.
OOPS, you do live around the corner from them like I do, don't you?
NO, Well Heck....The LACK of your general location in your signature line makes it sort of difficult for someone to know where you are located.
IF you included it in your signature line, maybe someone LOCAL to YOU might offer assistance.
Just a suggestion.

[jetcat]

LOL, don’t need that bushing after all. After digging into the car a little deeper the drivers side shock has no bushing on the bottom bolt. However, no one local has shocks. Not even summit. I guess I still need to get with Clark’s after all.

Takes a bit of work to modify shocks that you can buy from FLAPS to work. Better off with Clark's or Calif Corvair with their modified KYBs. I personally like the KYBs but I think my setup might be different from yours. I don't like the Gabriel shocks from Clark's. Got a leaky pair I could send you. Clark's has a new shock available, see link below.

http://www.corvair.com/user-cgi/catalog ... age=SUP-25

Bob Wilcox
Paso Robles, CA

1966 Turbo Corsa Convertible
1966 140 Corsa Coupe

[Damon23]

Thanks. I’m going to call them
In the morning and get some rushed here.