Correct appearing control arms
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 404
Likes: 75
From: Atlantic Beach, FL
Correct appearing control arms
Would it be more correct in appearance to replace the bushings in my original control arms with new press in bushings or buy entirely new strut rods?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,177
Likes: 7,780
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
This is fun...... Are we talking about trailing arms? If so do I get a prize? Are we talking about front A arms?
Or perhaps the strut rods. (they are in the back). ????
Or perhaps the strut rods. (they are in the back). ????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,393
Likes: 1,806
From: Apple Valley, MN
He is referring to the cross shaft. Answer is he does not need to replace it as long as it is in good shape. Treat it just like the a-arm itself with respect to any reconditioning efforts.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 404
Likes: 75
From: Atlantic Beach, FL
Sorry, for the confusion. Probably shouldn’t be posting in the middle of the night after looking at front and rear suspension parts for hours.
I’m talking about the rear strut rods.
I can do this
https://www.zip-corvette.com/63-74-s...ll-design.html
or this
https://www.zip-corvette.com/63-74-r...ng-rubber.html
I’m talking about the rear strut rods.
I can do this
https://www.zip-corvette.com/63-74-s...ll-design.html
or this
https://www.zip-corvette.com/63-74-r...ng-rubber.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 404
Likes: 75
From: Atlantic Beach, FL
Thanks for the support and for answering a question that I had not yet asked. That one would have come up after i pulled the control arms out….
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,393
Likes: 1,806
From: Apple Valley, MN
Sorry, for the confusion. Probably shouldn’t be posting in the middle of the night after looking at front and rear suspension parts for hours.
I’m talking about the rear strut rods.
I can do this
https://www.zip-corvette.com/63-74-s...ll-design.html
or this
https://www.zip-corvette.com/63-74-r...ng-rubber.html
I’m talking about the rear strut rods.
I can do this
https://www.zip-corvette.com/63-74-s...ll-design.html
or this
https://www.zip-corvette.com/63-74-r...ng-rubber.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5,430
Likes: 2,154
From: Loveland
I restored my old ones. Like they said, be careful removing them. I wire brushed mine and painted them, new bushings, good as new. Make sure the adjusting bolts are in good shape. Find the torque spec for these, it is higher than you might think. I think they need to be tightened with the weight on the wheels. Get one of the electric level deals to adjust the camber.
The hard part is removing the outer mount. Get a knocker so you don't destroy the strut/shock mount. Plan on maybe getting net ones.
The hard part is removing the outer mount. Get a knocker so you don't destroy the strut/shock mount. Plan on maybe getting net ones.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
I just rebuilt my trailing arms a couple months ago and replaced my strut rod bushes at the same time.
years ago i was buying parts whilst the $ was good and keeping a spares box for later on.
so i had purchased a set of bushes to suit my '72 during this time, which left the factory with the small design....
except when i went to replace them, the vette had been swapped out at sometime to the later design strut rods, which have bigger bushes....
just saying, before you buy anything, measure what size you already have.
years ago i was buying parts whilst the $ was good and keeping a spares box for later on.
so i had purchased a set of bushes to suit my '72 during this time, which left the factory with the small design....
except when i went to replace them, the vette had been swapped out at sometime to the later design strut rods, which have bigger bushes....
just saying, before you buy anything, measure what size you already have.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,177
Likes: 7,780
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
And me? Many years ago I put in adjustable strut rods. I don't care if they look original. They are so much easier to adjust. And what are people doing up under the rear of your car anyway? If I find someone crawling under my car to inspect my strut rods. There getting a firm boot!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 44,636
Likes: 1,827
From: Huntsville AL
If you are doing this job yourself and don't have the special tools and/or a shop press than just buy new strut rods. Use only rubber press in parts, pass on the Poly bushings. As pointed out in post #8 and #9 removal of the rod itself can be a challenge if a lot of rust is present and for sure make sure you order the correct size parts for your car.
Not a super hard job if everything comes apart easy.
Not a super hard job if everything comes apart easy.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 404
Likes: 75
From: Atlantic Beach, FL
Thanks all for the info and recommendations. I’ve got years of experience with Camaro’s so the front suspension is easy. The rear is a whole different world.
If I’ve got it right, the replacement strut rods will be more “correct” in appearance as they come with the rubber bushing installed like original. If I replace the bushings, the replacement bushing has a metal outer to press in that will be visible. Not sure that matters much.
I can do either job, and the cost difference is minimal.
If I’ve got it right, the replacement strut rods will be more “correct” in appearance as they come with the rubber bushing installed like original. If I replace the bushings, the replacement bushing has a metal outer to press in that will be visible. Not sure that matters much.
I can do either job, and the cost difference is minimal.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,393
Likes: 1,806
From: Apple Valley, MN
Thanks all for the info and recommendations. I’ve got years of experience with Camaro’s so the front suspension is easy. The rear is a whole different world.
If I’ve got it right, the replacement strut rods will be more “correct” in appearance as they come with the rubber bushing installed like original. If I replace the bushings, the replacement bushing has a metal outer to press in that will be visible. Not sure that matters much.
I can do either job, and the cost difference is minimal.
If I’ve got it right, the replacement strut rods will be more “correct” in appearance as they come with the rubber bushing installed like original. If I replace the bushings, the replacement bushing has a metal outer to press in that will be visible. Not sure that matters much.
I can do either job, and the cost difference is minimal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2,466
From: Indiana
Thanks all for the info and recommendations. I’ve got years of experience with Camaro’s so the front suspension is easy. The rear is a whole different world.
If I’ve got it right, the replacement strut rods will be more “correct” in appearance as they come with the rubber bushing installed like original. If I replace the bushings, the replacement bushing has a metal outer to press in that will be visible. Not sure that matters much.
I can do either job, and the cost difference is minimal.
If I’ve got it right, the replacement strut rods will be more “correct” in appearance as they come with the rubber bushing installed like original. If I replace the bushings, the replacement bushing has a metal outer to press in that will be visible. Not sure that matters much.
I can do either job, and the cost difference is minimal.
i used USA made poly from energy. I have had zero issues and very easy to install here
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...od-advice.html
now that said..i have done a fair amount rear end work, and removed many times..i find it real pita to line up on reassembly.
some say adjustables are easier to install, I don’t know but would consider next time if there is a next time.
i like the stock set up though and adjustments stay put for me.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,923
Likes: 4,495
From: Virginia
While I won't say I don't care if someone crawls under my car at Cars and Coffee, I certainly won't care what they have to say.
Unless you have a NCRS reason to keep them stock, replace the strut rods with heim-jointed adjustables.
Unless you have a NCRS reason to keep them stock, replace the strut rods with heim-jointed adjustables.