Truck Repair: upper control arm, control arm bushings, upper control arm


Question
I have a 1995 k1500 4x4 pickup, a couple years ago I hit a deer and took it to a chevy dealer for repair. now I have a loud clunking noise in the front drivers side. I thought it may have been ball joints, so I replaced them and the noise was still there. I started to try and figure out were the noise was coming from using the stethoscope method and found it was in the upper control arm bushings. as I started to remove the bushings, I found the control arm bracket bolts were real loose, not even close to the right torque. when I got the control arm removed I found the mounting brackets were worn. so could you tell me if there is a repair kit of some kind or how would I go about fixing this problem. I retorqued the bolts before taking apart and that didn't help. basicly I'm pretty mechanicly inclinded and have a great deal of equipment (grinders, welder,) so any type of answer would be welcomed, just looking for the easyist but also the right and less complicated method.                                                                      Thank You

Answer
Hello Cary,
The holes in the bracket on the frame, where the bolt through the bushings connects, is supposed to be slotted. That is where the caster and camber is adjusted.
I immagine retorqueing didn't work because the threads had been damaged from movement. Just replacing the camber bolts and cams might fix it.
If the brackets are actually worn and damaged, I immagine you could get some at a frame shop, or salvage yard, but I would recommend having a front end man take a look, and see if it is needed.
You will for sure need an alignment now anyway.

Van