a arms

[rwg65]

Do you have to pull steering column to change upper control arm on drivers side. Changing to disc brakes tubular control arms and all stainless brake and gas lines.

Thanks
Bob

[dsags]

Bob,

Unless you are changing the steering box there is no need to pull the steering column. With what you are doing to the car though you should consider a 'fast ratio' steering box. Changes steering from 4-1/4 to 3-1/4 turns lock to lock.

Dan

[rwg65]

Already did the steering box Dan. Hopefully with the rest of this stuff I'll have a great driving gs. Thanks for the reply.

Bob

[rwg65]

Well Dan I pulled her apart tonight and got down to the upper control arm and the steering shaft has to be moved. The bolts that hold the upper arms on are quite long to allow for shims so steering shaft will have to be moved. May also have to drop exhaust manifolds on both sides to get them off. Maybe with a skylark this wouldn't be a problem but with the 401 in gs it is. If anyone has done this job please let me know.

Thanks
Bob

[dsags]

Bob,

Could be wrong but the service manual says nothing about removing the steering shaft and believe everything is the same on a Skylark or Gran Sport since there is no mention of a different procedure in the 65 GS Service Manual. See page 319 of the 65 Chassis Service Manual in the Electronic Garage - http://65gs.com/65%20Chassis%20Service%20Manual/1965%20BUICK%20SPECIAL%20CHASSIS%20SERVICE%20MANUALindex.html
Those long bolts are removed from the wheel side of the chassis. Again, if this is incorrect, my apologies. The pictures are from my restoration.

Dan

[WkillGS]

Right, upper a-arm mounting bolts would have to come out. They are splined and a press-fit into the frame. Unsure of the best way to get them out, they're difficult to get to.

The GS does have a specific steering column due to the tight clearance between the frame/suspension and the 401 exhaust manifold.
 The GS rag joint flange is removable from the shaft. It's splined/clamped on whereas the small block cars have a flange that is welded to the shaft.  This is required so the steering shaft can be removed from the car without moving the exhaust manifold or engine.

[rwg65]

Well its apart. Had to move steering column and remove both exhaust manifolds to get upper arms off. Whew. Now the cleaning begins.

Bob

[Bigpig455]

Bob - for future reference..

I had the same issue, I was able to drive the splined bolts back in through the frame bracket by using a pry bar against the manifold to put inward pressure, then whacking the head of the bolt on the other side to break it loose. Surprisingly easy, if you can swing the knuckle out of the way and lift the a-frame upward for access.

[rwg65]

Thanks hopefully when this is done I won't be doing it again.
Bob