Thread: Control Arms

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Looking at replacing the control arms 73 Camaro front clip that I have on 55 chevy truck.
Any suggestions or are all the top brands about the same.

guys at autozone don't have a listing of 73 Camaro 55 Chevy truck-is it 4 x 4, single rear wheel? or dually??????

Really, I'm assuming you need parts for 73 Camaro-ball joints and bushings/

Is there something wrong with the arms themselves, or just the bushings and ball joints? If it's just the bushings and joints, just replace them - the arms themselves are almost indestructible. I changed out the bushings and ball joints in the arms in my '70 Impala in my driveway with just some basic hand tools.

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It's a 73 Camaro front clip that has been put on a 55 truck (3100) Lot of guys say you should put new upper & lower control arms on. If there's nothing wrong I really don't see the need to spend the money.

unless 1973 parts are rusted away----------

Control arms with the ball joints already installed is an repair option for more current age vehicles for mechanics that don't have necessary press type tools, but--------

Originally Posted by 39 Chevy

It's a 73 Camaro front clip that has been put on a 55 truck (3100) Lot of guys say you should put new upper & lower control arms on. If there's nothing wrong I really don't see the need to spend the money.

Then you should ask "lot of guys" to donate to the cost of new parts. I think sometimes that they get this crap in their minds from reading hot rod magazines.

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Or unless you just HAVE TO HAVE some shiny new tubular A arms.

if the clip was a cut and butt that wont align it may need offset upper control arm bars.
when a car sets low in the front and higher in the rear it throws off the alignment. you run out of threads before it aligns.

Shine brings up a good point about the offset upper shafts. I think I would make an appointment with an alignment shop just to pull the truck on the alignment rack and see if there will be enough adjustment on the stock shafts to align it after the ball joints and bushings are changed (they should be able to tell you unless the components are REALLY in bad shape (and shouldn't charge you too much to look at it. You really don't want to pull the upper arms off a second time to change the shafts out.


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i use the offsets on every clip even though i install them level with the chassis. they all end up hugging the weeds anyway. camaros sat nose high to begin with .

What is the reason for tall spindles & ball joints?

Originally Posted by 39 Chevy

What is the reason for tall spindles & ball joints?

Using an extended upper ball joint will allow the joint to sit a little higher than stock and with a little more angle to the a-arm as viewed from the front of the car. This will introduce more negative camber into the tire on a turn to prevent the car "rolling the tire over" onto its sidewall in a turn, allowing the tread of the tire to remain more parallel with the driving surface for better traction and cornering ability.
http://www.musclecardiy.com/wp-conte...015/04/825.jpg
Second Gen Camaro Tall Ball Joints

I hope this answers your question. If this is not what you were asking, please ask again in another way.

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Thanks, If I change to tall upper ball joints is it necessary to change the bottom also, I really don't to be setting any lower. Also I bought the truck as is, was told it was all new parts in the front. Everything looks new feels good & sturdy runs down the road good but I still have a little wandering going on.

on the upper aframe , are there no shims on the front bolt and all you can get on the rear bolt ?

sounds like basic alignment stuff instead of parts is needed------

Can you post a pic or two ??????