upper shaft
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From: dripping springs tx
upper shaft
I just completed the overhaul of the complete front end. I should have taken pictures before I started. The upper shaft on the drivers side that connects to the upper a-arm has an off set on each end . If the off set faces the engine the wheel is pulled in at the top. If the off set faces the wheel the wheel is pushed out at the top. I have looked at several vettes and have found so far none having this off set upper shaft. I am getting ready to have the car aligned and want to get this right so the shims can be added properly.
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From: Dove Mountain Arizona
Re: upper shaft (Veet 66)
I'm confused. Are you talking about the shaft on the engine side of the upper A-arm with the two bolts in it? If the other shaft is not offset could this one be bent? Need a pic really, could you e-mail one if you're not up to posting here?
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From: dripping springs tx
Re: upper shaft (MasterDave)
Yes. It is the shaft on the inside and it has the 2 bolts .In the Corvette Central book it is called a upper A arm shaft. No it is not bent. It was made with the off set on each end. They are the ends where the upper A arm bushings slide on. I have looked through several books and car mags and have yet to see one like this. It has to be original. With my luck they probably only made one and it happens to be on my car. What throws me off is if I turn it to the wheel side the upper wheel moves out. If I turn the off set to the engine the wheel moves in at the top. I will try to get a picture tonight and post tomorrow.
Thanks again for all of your help.
Thanks again for all of your help.
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From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Re: upper shaft (Veet 66)
Veet 66,
This offset shaft is used as a remedy for a sagging front suspension on C2's and C3's. I remember I had to install one on my 70 Vette, but that was back in 76. Don't remember which way is goes, but figure if the cross member is sagging, then it corrects for it. I would guess that the middle of the shaft would need to be "bent" outward to correct for the sag. Call a front end repair/alignment shop (if someone else on the forum does not respond).
Good luck,
Plasticman
This offset shaft is used as a remedy for a sagging front suspension on C2's and C3's. I remember I had to install one on my 70 Vette, but that was back in 76. Don't remember which way is goes, but figure if the cross member is sagging, then it corrects for it. I would guess that the middle of the shaft would need to be "bent" outward to correct for the sag. Call a front end repair/alignment shop (if someone else on the forum does not respond).
Good luck,
Plasticman
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Washington Michigan
Re: upper shaft (Veet 66)
I'd inspect the frame very closely for damage or cracks; the offset upper shafts were made by Moog to enable alignment on cars that had frame damage where the repairer couldn't "pull" the frame back into spec close enough to align it with the original straight shaft.
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From: dripping springs tx
Re: upper shaft (JohnZ)
I did a complete body off and sent the frame out for sand blasting. I did not see any damage or disfigure of the frame. Everything lined up ok with the new parts. I believe plasticman may have the idea. I guess I will know once I take it to the alignment shop. Could not find any body repairs made.
Did notice when the shaft offset was facing the engine on the drivers side I measured from the ground up to the inner fender well and measured up on the passenger fender well there was a 3/4 inch height difference. Offset shaft side was lower. I reversed the shaft so the off set was facing the tire.
I took another measurement and this time both sides were equal.height.
Everything in the front including the springs have been replaced. I am hoping it was a weak spring that was the cause of adding the offset shaft.
Thanks for the input. :crazy:
Did notice when the shaft offset was facing the engine on the drivers side I measured from the ground up to the inner fender well and measured up on the passenger fender well there was a 3/4 inch height difference. Offset shaft side was lower. I reversed the shaft so the off set was facing the tire.
I took another measurement and this time both sides were equal.height.
Everything in the front including the springs have been replaced. I am hoping it was a weak spring that was the cause of adding the offset shaft.
Thanks for the input. :crazy:
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From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
Re: upper shaft (Veet 66)
Veet 66 / John Z,
My 70 Vette did not have any frame damage (was never hit), and showed no cracks, etc. The guy who told me to install the offset shaft said he had done it to many Vettes due to sagging cross members. Once installed, I never had any additional problems with the front end. Drove it daily for 15 years (14 years after the front end work where the offset shaft was installed). Put in all Moog parts at that time. Do remember seeing a front brace offerred that was to be installed across somewhere around the cooling fan that was suppose to correct the frame sag. Thought the offset shaft was a better way to go for my purposes (it was).
Good luck,
Plasticman
My 70 Vette did not have any frame damage (was never hit), and showed no cracks, etc. The guy who told me to install the offset shaft said he had done it to many Vettes due to sagging cross members. Once installed, I never had any additional problems with the front end. Drove it daily for 15 years (14 years after the front end work where the offset shaft was installed). Put in all Moog parts at that time. Do remember seeing a front brace offerred that was to be installed across somewhere around the cooling fan that was suppose to correct the frame sag. Thought the offset shaft was a better way to go for my purposes (it was).
Good luck,
Plasticman
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