Bent lower CA shafts?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,406
Likes: 59
From: Emerald Isle NC
Bent lower CA shafts?
Am doing a front-end rebuild/rehab on my '71 coupe. Have noticed that the lower control arm shafts appear to be bent. Thing is, they're both bent at the same point, and bent about the same in the same direction. Hard for me to believe that this is normal.
Appreciate any and all comments...
How about it Alan71??
Willcox Guy??
Thanks all,
71scgc
Appreciate any and all comments...
How about it Alan71??
Willcox Guy??
Thanks all,
71scgc
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 698
Likes: 8
From: Stockholm Sweden
Am doing a front-end rebuild/rehab on my '71 coupe. Have noticed that the lower control arm shafts appear to be bent. Thing is, they're both bent at the same point, and bent about the same in the same direction. Hard for me to believe that this is normal.
Appreciate any and all comments...
How about it Alan71??
Willcox Guy??
Thanks all,
71scgc
Appreciate any and all comments...
How about it Alan71??
Willcox Guy??
Thanks all,
71scgc
//Ricky.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,406
Likes: 59
From: Emerald Isle NC
mrvette- this is on the front end. But yes, it is the rear end of the shaft that has the bend.
Ricky- not sure you could see the bend in a photo. It's only really noticable if you sight down the length of the shafts.
Thanks!!
Ricky- not sure you could see the bend in a photo. It's only really noticable if you sight down the length of the shafts.
Thanks!!
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 698
Likes: 8
From: Stockholm Sweden
The bracket (shaft) that holds the trailing arms to the crossmember should be absolutely straight, oyherwise one will get funny forces on the bushings as the trailingarms/suspension moves.
Are you shure that its not worn bushings makin it look like teyr not straight?
A shame youre not living in Sweden then i could have donated my old trailingarms and brackets to you.
//Edit:
Here is a picture of how they are supposed to look: http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1963-1982.html
//Ricky.
Last edited by RickyBerg; Jul 13, 2011 at 08:56 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
They do take a beating sometimes, but to bend them takes a pretty good hit. The shafts are not symmetrical and looking from end it might be difficult to tell if they are straight. My guess is someone bolted them up wrong. They only fit correctly one way. If bolted up wrong, it will bend them. Is the bend up and down or sideways to the bolt holes?
Last edited by wombvette; Jul 13, 2011 at 09:14 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,406
Likes: 59
From: Emerald Isle NC
Thanks for the input thus far! Again, this is on the front lower control arms (A-Arms) not the trailing arms.
Wombvette- The shafts will go on either side, but they can be flipped such that they would be installed "upside down". As far as the bend is concerned, it is at the back end i.e. the single bolt end of both shafts, and they both bend to the right when viewed in an "as installed" position (viewed from the single bolt end to the double bolt end). Neither control arm is damaged, however, there was more alignment shims on the left upper control arm than the right, and the shaft that was on the left is slightly more bent than the rightside shaft. This car did have very minor body damage from a right side impact when I bought it. Given the minor damage, I can't imagine it took enough of a hit to bend these shafts, but you never know...
Where's New Hill?
Wombvette- The shafts will go on either side, but they can be flipped such that they would be installed "upside down". As far as the bend is concerned, it is at the back end i.e. the single bolt end of both shafts, and they both bend to the right when viewed in an "as installed" position (viewed from the single bolt end to the double bolt end). Neither control arm is damaged, however, there was more alignment shims on the left upper control arm than the right, and the shaft that was on the left is slightly more bent than the rightside shaft. This car did have very minor body damage from a right side impact when I bought it. Given the minor damage, I can't imagine it took enough of a hit to bend these shafts, but you never know...
Where's New Hill?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,212
Likes: 4,300
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi scgc,
I took a close look at my lower shaft and can't see anything that could be called a bend. As stout as those shafts are I'd think it would take a real whack to bend them.
It's odd that they're both bent... that makes it seem like it was an alignment? tweak? Or, a straight-on hit on a curb at 150 miles an hour?!?!
Regards,
Alan
I took a close look at my lower shaft and can't see anything that could be called a bend. As stout as those shafts are I'd think it would take a real whack to bend them.
It's odd that they're both bent... that makes it seem like it was an alignment? tweak? Or, a straight-on hit on a curb at 150 miles an hour?!?!
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Jul 14, 2011 at 05:45 PM.
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Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 183
Likes: 1
From: Litchfield CT
Bent?
I can't imagine bending them to align the front. That would take King Kong, and one BMF hammer.
Can you get a short straightedge up against it? Post a photo so others can make a better suggestion.
Can you get a short straightedge up against it? Post a photo so others can make a better suggestion.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
I am also rebuilding my front suspension and have found two of the front A-arms shafts bent slightly. I believe these were bent during a previous bushing install. I have been able to mount the shafts in my vise, heat up the bend with a propane torch and put some weight on the bar or use my dead blow rubber mallet to take the bend out. With a propane torch it will not get cheery red hot or even close so I don't believe there are an down sides to using this method.
I would try this and see how much of the bend you can get out.
R/
Chris.
I would try this and see how much of the bend you can get out.
R/
Chris.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,406
Likes: 59
From: Emerald Isle NC
Wombvette I agree, regardless of cause these shouldn't be bent.
Alan71- Thanks for checking the "reference car" on this!!
To all- I appreciate the input!!
In closing- New shafts will be ordered, just gotta decide from where. OEM's are out there, but $$$. Thinking MOOG replacements. They come in a kit with bushings and bolts...I have bushings and bolts!!!
Dammit!!
71scgc
Alan71- Thanks for checking the "reference car" on this!!
To all- I appreciate the input!!
In closing- New shafts will be ordered, just gotta decide from where. OEM's are out there, but $$$. Thinking MOOG replacements. They come in a kit with bushings and bolts...I have bushings and bolts!!!
Dammit!!
71scgc