61 front end problems
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Le Mans Master
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From: New York New York
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61 front end problems
Sunday I put my 61 on my lift to check a squeek and this is what I found. Suprising the car did not pull and it tracked straight.
As I jousted the car I noticed the lower shock brackets were moving up and down.
Not good, will new new ones.
The upper bushings were rotating inside the upper A and that was my squeek.
This is the lower pivot bolt.
The bushing is so worn it started to crack. I had to grind it down to get it out.
As I jousted the car I noticed the lower shock brackets were moving up and down.
Not good, will new new ones.
The upper bushings were rotating inside the upper A and that was my squeek.
This is the lower pivot bolt.
The bushing is so worn it started to crack. I had to grind it down to get it out.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Georgetown TX
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I would do a complete front end rebuild!
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
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Army
There is a pair on ebay right now for decent $$$:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1953-...item35b36b4844
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1953-...item35b36b4844
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 211
From: Iowa
I just tore down my 67 for similar issues...front A-arm cross shafts were literally "loose"...the rubber bushings wasted away and the rear had issues as well.
Sending front A-arms and trailing arms to Yogi Bairs for refurb.
Cheers,
Frank
Racer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 375
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From: Keene Texas
link for rebuild artical by Tom Parson
Sunday I put my 61 on my lift to check a squeek and this is what I found. Suprising the car did not pull and it tracked straight.
As I jousted the car I noticed the lower shock brackets were moving up and down.
Not good, will new new ones.
The upper bushings were rotating inside the upper A and that was my squeek.
This is the lower pivot bolt.
The bushing is so worn it started to crack. I had to grind it down to get it out.
As I jousted the car I noticed the lower shock brackets were moving up and down.
Not good, will new new ones.
The upper bushings were rotating inside the upper A and that was my squeek.
This is the lower pivot bolt.
The bushing is so worn it started to crack. I had to grind it down to get it out.
Here is a link to an artical Tom Parson wrote on rebuilding the C1 front end with lots of pictures.
http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/sh...hp?tid/218134/
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 8,017
Likes: 2
From: The problem is all inside your head she said to me.
Wow looking at Toms write up brings back memories. I did the front end maybe 15 or so years ago. I always enjoy reading Toms write ups. There also must be something wrong with me because I laugh at how worn out stuff gets, how primitive our cars are. Nothing like examining stuff to see how it works or how much use it was able to take. I guess that's why I'm a mechanical technician here at work. I love to take stuff apart and put it back together. Although usually here it's just put together and it's all new and clean.
Gordon
Gordon
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From: Location, Location QC,NY
Paul
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Le Mans Master
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Thanks for all the replys.
When I removed the shock mounts they were in correctly but that doesn't mean they were in wrong at some previous time.
I might have to replace the lower arms also because where the mounting tabs of the brackets sits in the A frame is also worn too thin.
I bought a complete front end from a passenger car a few years ago just in case I needed any parts. I will probally use all the parts from that unit. It appears to have be rebuilt not long before I bought it.
Joe
When I removed the shock mounts they were in correctly but that doesn't mean they were in wrong at some previous time.
I might have to replace the lower arms also because where the mounting tabs of the brackets sits in the A frame is also worn too thin.
I bought a complete front end from a passenger car a few years ago just in case I needed any parts. I will probally use all the parts from that unit. It appears to have be rebuilt not long before I bought it.
Joe
Last edited by plaidside; Jul 6, 2011 at 01:23 PM.
Race Director
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From: Mustang OK
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EVERYONE,
JUST A REMINDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The upper and lower A-frames and the lower shock mount bracket for 53-62 Vettes are EXACTLY the same parts used on 49-54 pass cars!
Why am I telling you this?
Because if you shop for Vette parts, the prices will be sky high.
But if you shop for 49-54 pass car parts, the prices will be reasonable!!!!
Got that?
P.S. If you cannot find a good used upper A-frame, the hole(s) for the inner shaft bushing(s) can be repaired by having a VERY PROFICIENT welder run a bead inside the hole. Then, using a die grinder and a rotary file or small grind stone, CAREFULLY grind down the weld bead. Then use the OLD bushing to re-establish the threads in the hole(s). Don't use a new bushing, because the threads of the old bushing will probably be slightly smaller than the threads of a new bushing. Thus, when you screw in a new bushing, it will be VERY tight, as it should be.
Tom Parsons
JUST A REMINDER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The upper and lower A-frames and the lower shock mount bracket for 53-62 Vettes are EXACTLY the same parts used on 49-54 pass cars!
Why am I telling you this?
Because if you shop for Vette parts, the prices will be sky high.
But if you shop for 49-54 pass car parts, the prices will be reasonable!!!!
Got that?
P.S. If you cannot find a good used upper A-frame, the hole(s) for the inner shaft bushing(s) can be repaired by having a VERY PROFICIENT welder run a bead inside the hole. Then, using a die grinder and a rotary file or small grind stone, CAREFULLY grind down the weld bead. Then use the OLD bushing to re-establish the threads in the hole(s). Don't use a new bushing, because the threads of the old bushing will probably be slightly smaller than the threads of a new bushing. Thus, when you screw in a new bushing, it will be VERY tight, as it should be.
Tom Parsons
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Le Mans Master
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Thanks for the reply Tom.
I have a complete front end out of a passenger car although I do not know what year it is.
I read somewhere that the spindle supports are different. I compared the Vette support to the one I took off the front end and they appear to be the same.
In the picture the Vette on is on top.
Are the spindles different also?
How are the repro shock mounts?
Thanks,
Joe
I have a complete front end out of a passenger car although I do not know what year it is.
I read somewhere that the spindle supports are different. I compared the Vette support to the one I took off the front end and they appear to be the same.
In the picture the Vette on is on top.
Are the spindles different also?
How are the repro shock mounts?
Thanks,
Joe
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,500
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From: Staten island New York
Here is a link to an artical Tom Parson wrote on rebuilding the C1 front end with lots of pictures.
http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/sh...hp?tid/218134/
http://www.chevytalk.org/fusionbb/sh...hp?tid/218134/
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Emporia, pay no attention to that man behind the curtain, KS
There is a pair on ebay right now for decent $$$:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1953-...item35b36b4844
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1953-...item35b36b4844
1
60
Le Mans Master
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From: Puget Sound
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Thanks for all the replys.
When I removed the shock mounts they were in correctly but that doesn't mean they were in wrong at some previous time.
I might have to replace the lower arms also because where the mounting tabs of the brackets sits in the A frame is also worn too thin.
I bought a complete front end from a passenger car a few years ago just in case I needed any parts. I will probally use all the parts from that unit. It appears to have be rebuilt not long before I bought it.
Joe
When I removed the shock mounts they were in correctly but that doesn't mean they were in wrong at some previous time.
I might have to replace the lower arms also because where the mounting tabs of the brackets sits in the A frame is also worn too thin.
I bought a complete front end from a passenger car a few years ago just in case I needed any parts. I will probally use all the parts from that unit. It appears to have be rebuilt not long before I bought it.
Joe
Yes, there is a difference. The 49-52 pass car spindle supports and 53-62 Vette spindle supports are the same. The 53-54 pass car spindle supports have the knuckle for the king pin about 1in higher up, which would LOWER the car. So, for a quick lowering of your frontend with factory parts, just install 53-54 pass car spindle supports (difference shown below).
No, there is no difference in pass car and Vette spindles.
The difference between pass car and Vette frontends is the steering (center arm and L&R arms). Everything else interchanges.
Tom Parsons
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My car tracked straight too, but it sure was better at not wanting to switch lanes unexpectedly on rutted pavement once I got everything replaced.
Doug
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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From: New York New York
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Thanks Tom for the info.
I don't mind doing the rebuild but I HATE the cleaning!!
Joe
I don't mind doing the rebuild but I HATE the cleaning!!
Joe
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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From: New York New York
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Joe
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OK, and now that the subject has come up on lower A-frames (53-62 Vettes and 49-54 pass cars), let me add some more info.
Unlike later cars, these lower A-frames are not left and right (sort of).
What makes one of these early lower A-frames L or R is the bracket for the sway bar link. These brackets are attached with 4 spot welds.
If for example, you need to replace a left lower A-frame, and all you can find is a right one, buy it. Then VERY CAREFULLY, drill part way through the 4 spot welds and then pop off the bracket. Smooth down the 4 spots on the A-frame. Position and weld (put a weld where each of the 4 spot welds were) the bracket over on the other side of the A-frame and VOILA, you now have a left lower A-frame!!!!!!!!!!
Tom Parsons
Unlike later cars, these lower A-frames are not left and right (sort of).
What makes one of these early lower A-frames L or R is the bracket for the sway bar link. These brackets are attached with 4 spot welds.
If for example, you need to replace a left lower A-frame, and all you can find is a right one, buy it. Then VERY CAREFULLY, drill part way through the 4 spot welds and then pop off the bracket. Smooth down the 4 spots on the A-frame. Position and weld (put a weld where each of the 4 spot welds were) the bracket over on the other side of the A-frame and VOILA, you now have a left lower A-frame!!!!!!!!!!
Tom Parsons
Last edited by DZAUTO; Jul 7, 2011 at 09:09 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 989
Likes: 13
From: Gloucester Point VA
Same thing
I had the issue of the lower mount pulling through the a-arm. Purchased a new mount and installed it, some months later it was pulled throught again. Close inspection showed that the hole in the a-arm was damaged and required some welding to build the "lip" up to hold the mount. Some welding and some grinds and she was good as new. Be sure to check this probelm while we're working on the front end.
