VBP upper control arms - loose?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 990
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
VBP upper control arms - loose?
Does anyone else have an issue with the outer bolts coming loose? Mine just did after 500 miles.
This is in conjunction with the Performace Plus system if that matters.
They are really in a bad spot to try and tighten.
Anyone?
This is in conjunction with the Performace Plus system if that matters.
They are really in a bad spot to try and tighten.
Anyone?
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
Do you have poly bushings? I've read that can cause them to loosen. I have polys, but used Loctite Red to keep them tight. I don't have many miles on mine but probably more than 500 since I replaced them.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 952
Likes: 0
The same way you put them on. Just pop a ball joint, release the spring, and unbolt the arms. Probably faster than messing with them in the car.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 990
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
The VBP says to torque them at ride height - so I'm going to see if they have any ideas.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Geez....VBP didn't provide self-locking bolts with all that other hardware? Talk about cheap! 
I guess for every 20 suspension systems they sell, the owner can pay for another Starbuck's latte with the money saved by giving you plain bolts. 
[Looks like another example of "the customer doesn't count"...]
I guess for every 20 suspension systems they sell, the owner can pay for another Starbuck's latte with the money saved by giving you plain bolts. [Looks like another example of "the customer doesn't count"...]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 20
From: Kingston Ontario
I've had mine on for over a year and no problems...well...car hasn't moved yet...
Why don't you try Nordlock washers. They are awesome. Compression nuts should work but the Nordlocks would be good insurance. Also, I don't advise using red loctite on anything you want apart in the future unless heating it up is ok. Blue loctite is the removable stuff and still works pretty good. Lots of experience with all of them at Goodyear on their tire making machines.
Why don't you try Nordlock washers. They are awesome. Compression nuts should work but the Nordlocks would be good insurance. Also, I don't advise using red loctite on anything you want apart in the future unless heating it up is ok. Blue loctite is the removable stuff and still works pretty good. Lots of experience with all of them at Goodyear on their tire making machines.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 1
From: St Petersburg FL
St. Jude Donor '07,'13
1970-Bronze,
Sorry to hear you are having this problem – it’s very rare. My own ’78 has had a Performance Plus System for years and I have never had the control arm bushing bolts (or anything else) loosen.
The control arms are assembled here (at VBP) with LockTite Blue (#242) so that the bolts can be removed if necessary down the road.
Apply LockTite 242 to the bolt threads. Then, after the car is on the ground, bounce the front end of the vehicle. This will center the upper control arm bushings. Tighten the collar bolts to 35 to 40 ft. lbs. Make sure the washer is not crushing or grabbing the face of the poly bushing. Unlike rubber, the bushing needs to be free to rotate. If the washer IS rubbing against the bushing, it could unscrew the bolt as the arm moves up and down.
Give us a call if you have any questions or problems that we can help you with …
Sincerely,
Alan G.
VBP - Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.
PS – Here is a link to a really good article on Vibration Loosening of Bolts and Threaded Fasteners: http://www.boltscience.com/pages/vibloose.htm
Sorry to hear you are having this problem – it’s very rare. My own ’78 has had a Performance Plus System for years and I have never had the control arm bushing bolts (or anything else) loosen.
The control arms are assembled here (at VBP) with LockTite Blue (#242) so that the bolts can be removed if necessary down the road.
Apply LockTite 242 to the bolt threads. Then, after the car is on the ground, bounce the front end of the vehicle. This will center the upper control arm bushings. Tighten the collar bolts to 35 to 40 ft. lbs. Make sure the washer is not crushing or grabbing the face of the poly bushing. Unlike rubber, the bushing needs to be free to rotate. If the washer IS rubbing against the bushing, it could unscrew the bolt as the arm moves up and down.
Give us a call if you have any questions or problems that we can help you with …
Sincerely,
Alan G.
VBP - Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.
PS – Here is a link to a really good article on Vibration Loosening of Bolts and Threaded Fasteners: http://www.boltscience.com/pages/vibloose.htm
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
These might be a nice addition to the package you sell. Your customers would probably appreciate it.
http://www.allproducts.com/manufactu...ing/nylon.html
http://www.allproducts.com/manufactu...ing/nylon.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,429
Likes: 20
From: Kingston Ontario
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 1
From: St Petersburg FL
St. Jude Donor '07,'13
These might be a nice addition to the package you sell. Your customers would probably appreciate it.
http://www.allproducts.com/manufactu...ing/nylon.html
http://www.allproducts.com/manufactu...ing/nylon.html
Can't get the link to work (or even allproducts.com). Please check it out 'n let me know. Thanks in advance...
Sincerely,
Alan G.
VBP - Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 1
From: St Petersburg FL
St. Jude Donor '07,'13
or....
http://www.nord-lock.com/
http://www.nord-lock.com/
Thanks. They are going to send us some samples to try out...
Sincerely,
Alan G.
VBP - Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 43
From: Plano TX
I installed the VBP fiberglass spring and a-arms in the early 90's and also had a issue with the bolts coming loose after a period of time. To tighten the front ones is tough with a fan shroud.
I solved the problem by taking my angle grinder to a wrench (9/16?) and cut it in half. I then place the shortened wrend on the bolt and use a 1 long piece of dowel wood and a hammer to tighten it up further. May sound unorthodox but it work great and no need to remove the shroud. Lock tight may have worked but I used what I had available at the house.
Oh and the kit was the best handling mod I've made to the car
I solved the problem by taking my angle grinder to a wrench (9/16?) and cut it in half. I then place the shortened wrend on the bolt and use a 1 long piece of dowel wood and a hammer to tighten it up further. May sound unorthodox but it work great and no need to remove the shroud. Lock tight may have worked but I used what I had available at the house.
Oh and the kit was the best handling mod I've made to the car
